Vibha SharmaNew Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Monday removed signages outside shops and restaurants at several places in Khan Market, calling these non-compliant and oversized under the Outdoor Advertisement Policy, 2017.It also removed claddings and water motors installed next to building boundaries, calling them encroachments on public land.The action was later put on hold after traders said they had approached elected representatives and senior NDMC officials.An NDMC official said a joint drive involving staff from the enforcement, estate, architect and EBR departments was carried out in accordance with the decision taken at a meeting of officials and stakeholders sometime back. Notices were also served regarding the signages, the official said.The traders’ association, however, said the drive was unannounced and no notices were served.“NDMC removed signages at 10-12 places and the action was not necessary because we have always been supportive for implementation of the law. Staff from various departments suddenly arrived with a force and machinery. If they want to make the signages uniform in size, it would be better to take traders into confidence and hold meetings with them, but with an open mind…. The NDMC team even removed water motors at a few places, which we strongly objected to. Unhappy with the action, we were compelled to resist. We finally contacted our MP and vice-chairman of NDMC, following which the action was stopped,” a trader said.Another trader said implementing the OAP, 2017, was difficult in the market as the buildings are not in alignment.“To ensure visibility, restaurants and shops naturally put up their boards or signages slightly outside. Also, when the plots were allocated by the L&DO, it was clarified that the land two feet in front and one feet at the back belonged to the plot owners,” the trader said.NDMC officials said they were aware of the decisions and had, therefore, not taken action against signage boards installed up to two feet outside the shops.“Some people have crossed the limits and installed boards up to four feet outside the boundary of their buildings. To add to the mess, some have even installed billboards/boards horizontally over the roads. There are also air-conditioning units installed horizontally outside buildings. This is a safety concern,” an official said.NDMC denied undertaking any major or selective action. “We just started from one row and covered 10-12 complexes, while leaving advice for the others to follow the norms in the interest of everyone’s safety and to avoid action in the future. The traders’ association was also asked to spread the message. The water motors that were removed were subsequently returned. Since water supply is sufficient in the area, it was decided water motors won’t be installed by individuals,” the official said.
