Issuing licences to restaurants to get tougher
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is all set to come up with a new and tougher policy for issuing and renewal of licences to restaurants, pubs, cafes and eateries in the Lutyen’s Zone.
The move comes days after the incidents of collapse of two portions of buildings in Connaught Place. Following the collapse, the civic body had sealed 21 rooftop resto-bars.
Unlike before, restaurant owners will now have to take NOCs from four departments including chief architect (of the Council), estate, fire and tax.
The chief architect’s department will check the place for its ‘structural stability’, which was not the norm before.
“The norms of the policy are still under consideration. One of the important changes will be the clearance from the architecture department to check the stability of the structure,” said a senior official.
According to officials, after 2007, it will be the first time that the clause of ‘structural stability’ has been added under the issuance of health license.
“Until 2007 the clause used to be there with the health department, but it was later removed. It is only now after the roof collapse that the clause has been added again to make sure there are no lapses,” the official said.
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