Delhi Mayor Brings Relief to Traders: Sealed Shops to Reopen After Six Years

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has announced the de-sealing of shops in local shopping complexes, bringing relief to traders after six years. The shops were sealed for violating building bye-laws, but a court-appointed panel has now ruled in favor of their reopening.

In a significant development, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi announced on Wednesday that a court-appointed panel has decided to de-seal the first and second floors of shops located in local shopping complexes across the city. This decision brings relief to traders who have been grappling with the sealing of their shops for the past six years.

Background of the Sealing

The sealing of shops in local shopping complexes in Delhi began in 2017-18 in the Defence Colony area. The monitoring committee responsible for enforcing building bye-laws identified alleged violations and ordered the sealing of these shops. Subsequently, a judicial committee was constituted by the Supreme Court to examine the legal aspects of the matter.

Relief for Traders

After a thorough review, the judicial committee has now decided to de-seal the affected shops, providing much-needed relief to the traders. The mayor, Shelly Oberoi, confirmed this decision but did not specify the exact date when the de-sealing process will commence. She assured that further details regarding the modalities of the de-sealing process will be shared soon after discussions with the concerned officials.

Process for De-Sealing

Traders who wish to have their properties de-sealed will need to apply to the relevant department and pay any additional charges as required. These charges may include additional floor area ratio (FAR) charges, particularly in cases where basements have been used for commercial or professional activities.

Areas Benefiting from De-Sealing

The decision to de-seal shops will positively impact markets in various areas of Delhi, including Defence Colony, Old Rajendra Nagar, New Rajendra Nagar, Green Park, Greater Kailashs N Block, Hauz Khas, and South Extension-I. Traders in these areas can now legally resume their businesses by paying the necessary additional charges.

Reactions from MCD Leaders

The Leader of the House in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Mukesh Goyal, expressed joy over the decision of the judicial committee. He highlighted the positive impact it will have on the city's business community, particularly those traders whose shops have been sealed for the past six years. Goyal emphasized that this decision provides an opportunity for traders to restore their employment and resume their businesses.

Deputy Mayor Aaley Muhammad Iqbal echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting traders. He acknowledged that sealing was one of the 10 guarantees promised by the chief minister, and the intention of the government is clear in providing assistance to traders. Iqbal assured that every department of the municipal corporation will cooperate with traders to facilitate the de-sealing process.

The decision to de-seal shops in local shopping complexes in Delhi marks a significant step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected traders for years. With the implementation of this decision, traders can now look forward to resuming their businesses and contributing to the city's economic growth.