Unauthorised guesthouses face police action

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Police have started cracking the whip on unauthorised guesthouses in the city. And this would soon be followed by a crackdown on illegal tourist guides and touts.HT reports

In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Police have started cracking the whip on unauthorised guesthouses in the city. And this would soon be followed by a crackdown on illegal tourist guides and touts.

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In the past one month alone, the police have sealed 84 guesthouses without a licence in Paharganj, which is the most frequented place by foreign tourists.

"We have sealed and taken action against unauthorised guesthouses in the past one month. More action will be taken in the coming days," said Jaspal Singh, deputy commissioner of police (central). There are 901 guesthouses and hotels in Central Delhi's Paharganj.

He said the police have also written to the special executive magistrate to close these gueshouses permanently.

Police said 181 guesthouses from Paharganj have applied for a licence. The guesthouses that were sealed were denied permission by the licensing department, as they did not meet the requirements.

Police said there was concerted effort to secure the city ahead of the Commonwealth Game. The police also plan to track the movement of foreign tourists with the help of CCTVs the moment they land at IGI airport.

"With the help of CCTVs, we will keep a watch that the foreigners are not approached by any tout or agent," said police commissioner YS Dadwal.

The police also plan to strengthen security at hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners.

"We would deploy plainclothes policemen at places frequented by foreigners primarily Paharganj," said the officer.

On June 26, two Dutch women alleged that they were repeatedly raped and robbed of their money and passports by two men posing as tourist guides.

The women who were on a world tour had checked into a hotel in Paharganj and the next day met the accused at Connaught Place who posed themselves as tourist guides, police said. Police said the CCTV at Paharganj that is connected to the local police station would be monitored minutely.