Sealing axe dangles on 70,000 traders

The sealing axe may fall on more than 70,000 shopkeepers in the city. In a major setback to the MCD, the Delhi Govt has refused to notify 307-odd roads that were sent to it by the civic agency for approval citing that parking provision has not been provided for these roads.

The sealing axe may fall on more than 70,000 shopkeepers in the city.

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In a major setback to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi government has refused to notify 307-odd roads that were sent to it by the civic agency for approval citing that parking provision has not been provided for these roads. If the roads had been notified, traders would have got relief from sealing.

These roads are scattered all over the city and include those like Firoze Gandhi Road in Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Mehrauli, Adchini, Rohini, Rajouri Garden among others.

“The list of roads that was sent for notification has been sent back by the government stating that parking provision has not been given by the MCD among others things. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) too has given clear directions that no road in the city can be notified as a commercial stretch unless provision for parking is provided,” said a senior MCD official.

The MCD has termed it a political move and said parking provision is provided once the Delhi government notifies a road.

“This is complete discrimination on their part. They are playing politics with the lives of so many people. Earlier too, 2,538 roads were notified by them without providing parking provision as it is done on a later stage. We strongly oppose this move,” said Vijendra Gupta, chairman of the standing committee of the MCD. The exercise to identify roads for notification is being carried out by MCD under the provision of Master Plan 2021, he added.