High Court asks DDA, MCD to frame policy on catering vans

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to frame a policy for the licensing and parking of mobile catering vans.

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to frame a policy for the licensing and parking of mobile catering vans.

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The matter reached the court through a batch of petitions filed by owners of such vans that were once stationed in various markets in Dwarka — sector 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 — but were ordered to shift by the MCD, DDA and the Delhi Police for causing traffic congestion.

Manjit Singh Ahluwalia, the lawyer appearing for the van owners, accused the civic agencies of not drafting a policy despite the repeated directions of the court.

He said the catering van owners were promised an alternative site when they were asked to shift, but nothing had been done.

Ahluwalia submitted before justice Hima Kohli that the police were ready to give alternative sites but asked the owners to secure no objection certificates from DDA, the land owning agency. "All over Delhi, catering vans do not need no objection certificates from the land owning agency. Why just in Dwarka?" he asked.

Justice Kohli told DDA lawyer Sangeeta Chandra, "Whenever two agencies are involved in any issue, there is complete chaos. Why don't you have a system in place for licensing and parking of these vans? Why do these people have to go to various authorities for clearance? Put in place a policy," the court said.

The court will continue the hearing on Tuesday.