MCD seals 261 commercial properties

Confusion and agitation ruled the roost, as most of the shopkeepers were not aware of the drive and did not get time to clear out their merchandise, reports Karan Choudhury.

Delhi saw red on Monday, courtesy the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The civic agency started the sealing drive against commercial properties in the non-notified roads of the Capital again, sealing 261 properties all over the city. non-notified roads are not covered under the Master Plan-2021 and the Delhi Laws Special Provisions Act 2008.

HT Image

Commercial establishments in areas like Chirag Enclave, Lajpat Nagar Part-I, Rajouri Garden and New Rajinder Nagar were targeted during the drive. The MCD had earlier given a 45-day deadline to shopkeepers to voluntarily shut down their shops.

People’s plight

The drive came as a complete shock to the shopkeepers. Confusion and agitation ruled the roost, as most of them were not aware of the drive and did not get time to clear out their merchandise. “We came to know about the drive through the newspapers. The MCD did not send us any notice. I own a used-car dealership. All the car keys, important documents are inside the shop. I pleaded with the officials to at least allow me to take them out but they would not listen,” said AS Taneja, who owns a shop in Lajpat Nagar-I, Block-C.

The MCD is not taking any chances and they sealed properties, which were locked and could not be surveyed for sealing. Resident of C-56, Lajpat Nagar had to bear the brunt for it. “The MCD sealed our relatives’ property just because it was locked. They stay here and are currently out of station. They do not run any kind of commercial activities. How can they do that?” said Mohammed Niami. After he showed the premises to the MCD officials, they immediately called up the monitoring committee and got the premises desealed.

MCDspeak

Standing Committee Chairman Vijender Gupta said, “The sealing drive is being carried out on the orders of the Supreme Court and on the basis of MPD-2021. We believe the Master Plan is discriminating against people. Nothing is clearly mentioned and there is utter confusion. Tomorrow, we will go to the Urban Development Minister and ask for amnesty for shopkeepers on non-notified areas.”