Restaurateurs and hotels and restaurant associations have called the centre’s recommendations of barring pubs and eateries from residential premises ‘discriminatory’ and ‘regressive’ in nature.
The ministry of housing and urban affairs has proposed changes to the Delhi master plan which includes recommendations like restaurants, clubs and pubs be barred from operating in residential premises as part of mixed use areas. The ministry has not suggested a deadline for relocation of of such establishments.
“They have acknowledged that in Delhi the growth of population has been too rapid to enable the infrastructure and civic amenities to keep pace with it and therefore mixed use provision has to be given for running of retail shops, office, commercial and professional activities. Singling out restaurants out of the purview is discriminatory and regressive in nature,” said Rahul Singh, president, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).
Singh said across the world eateries dot residential catchments which reduces the load of transportation and curbs pollution. “Ordering home from a nearby eatery also provides a wider choice and quicker delivery as when hunger strikes. It is rather unfortunate to have a long waiting time.” he added.
As per the statement released from the ministry on Monday, restaurants, clubs, pubs shall not be allowed in the residential premises as part of mixed use. “The recommendations also take into account concerns raised by the Supreme Court vide orders dated February 9 with respect to environment, pollution, fire safety measures for life and safety of the people etc. Further, concerns regarding traffic congestion and parking facilities as also raised by the court in its various orders have also been suitably addressed,” the note stated.
The Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee had started a sealing drive in December last year against establishments including restaurants in the city that it stated were functioning in contravention to the provision of master plan 2021. Notifying 351 roads for mixed land use, uniform FAR on shopping cum residential plots and complexes that came up before or after 1962, and uniform rules for basement use at such plots and or complexes are some of the other recommendations.
