Ten basements sealed in Connaught Place over illegal commercial use

New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) president Atul Bhargava said basements are supposed to be storage units but some establishments were using them for commercial purposes.

The New Delhi Municipal Council has sealed basements of 10 establishments in Connaught Place on Tuesday. The action came in compliance with the Supreme Court-appointed committee monitoring the sealing of illegal commercial establishments across Delhi.

A sealed office in N- Block, Connaught Place, on Wednesday. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

According to a senior council official, the sealing action began on Tuesday and went on till late in the night in M and N Blocks of Connaught Place. The properties sealed had offices of courier services, travel agents, a kitchen, a dormitory. “One basement was structurally unfit,” he said.

Action against properties across Delhi is being taken for misusing residential properties for commercial use, non-payment of ‘use conversion charge’ and unauthorised construction. In NDMC markets such as CP and Khan Market, conversion charge is not an issue. Last month, sections of more than 10 Khan Market shops were sealed for unauthorised construction and use of terrace space for commercial activities.

New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) president Atul Bhargava said basements are supposed to be storage units but some establishments were using them for commercial purposes.

“These basements were being used as offices and for other commercial purposes. I think if it is an officially built space, then commercial activity should be allowed by the Delhi Development Authority,” Bhargava said.

Last week, too, NDMC had sealed Courtyard Unplugged (on Wednesday) and Tamasha (on Thursday) in CP area for unauthorised use of space for commercial activities.

According to a senior NDMC official, while Tamasha was sealed for using outdoor space without authorisation, the action against Courtyard Unplugged was taken as they were using a space earmarked for garage.

“We are in the lookout for such violations in Connaught Place and other areas falling under the NDMC and will take action. No such action is planned in the next few days,” he said.