Centre gets tough on Delhi's posh markets

Centre proposes a ban on commercial activities, except for professional services, in most of Delhi's posh colonies.

The Centre on Thursday proposed a ban on commercial activities, except for professional services, in most of Delhi's posh colonies, but recommended a liberal mixed-land use in middle and lower-middle class residential zones.

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Any other activity in colonies designated by the MCD as of A and B categories -- such as Greater Kailash and South Extension -- may be permitted on specific requests from their resident welfare association, a Central public notice on the recommendations of the Tejendra Khanna committee on Delhi's town planning said.

Also, commercial use of residential premises will be allowed in the C and D category colonies -- such as East of Kailash, Dwarka and Daryaganj -- only after consultations with RWAs, the notice, which invited public opinion on the panel's recommendations before their implementation next month, said.

Under pressure mostly from store owners, the Congress-led government, whose law suspending MCD demolition and sealing drives for a year came in for stinging observations by the Supreme Court, recommended liberal mixed-land use in colonies categorised as E, F and G -- home to a large population of Delhi's middle and lower-middle income groups.

"Residential areas and streets/stretches earlier declared commercial or where commercial use was allowed in master plan 1962 would also be allowed to continue such use..." the notice said.