Supreme Court to hear Delhi sealing drive matter

The top court had previously criticised the Delhi Development Authority after it proposed changing some rules in the city’s Master Plan 2021.

A Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee had ordered the sealing of commercial establishments flouting provisions of the 2021 Master Plan.

The sealing drive began on January 7 in Khan Market.

Till now, over 1,500 commercial establishments have been sealed across the city in the sealing drive ordered against the misuse of residential properties for commercial use and non-payment of 'conversion charge'.

The Supreme Court had previously in a hearing criticised the Delhi Development Authority after it proposed changing some rules in the city’s Master Plan, 2021.

“Everybody in Delhi is just keeping their eyes closed and waiting for disaster to happen,” said a bench of Justices Madan Lokur and Deepak Gupta. "You [civic bodies] have learnt nothing from Uphaar fire tragedy and incidents in Bawana and Kamala Mills."

On February 9, the top court directed the Delhi government and the DDA to apprise it whether an environmental impact assessment was conducted before proposing amendments in the Delhi master plan, 2021.

The court asked the state government if the traffic conditions, fire safety and the safety of buildings in the city were taken into consideration before proposing the amendments.

According to the master plan, traders using properties for mixed purposes, have to pay a one-time conversion charge at the rate notified by the Delhi Government.

The ongoing sealing drive, which was restricted to local markets, will now be extended to residential areas.

Earlier, the top court-appointed monitoring committee on directed three civic bodies - South, East and North Delhi - to identify residential buildings where stilt parking is illegally being used for commercial activities.

(With inputs from agencies)