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It's curtains for big shops?

Staff Reporter

Notification also does not allow banquet halls in residential areas

NEW DELHI: The Union Urban Development Ministry's notification on Friday allowing mixed land use in the Capital and making changes in the floor area ration (FAR) and coverage area of plots could well mean curtains for big showrooms, commercial establishments and other related activity in the city's posh colonies as a "zero tolerance" norm has been fixed for the A and B categories of colonies.

The most affected areas where the people would be forced to shut down their business activity on the main roads and in residential areas include the posh Greater Kailash-I and II, Hauz Khas, Gulmohar Park, Green Park, Defence Colony, Safdarjung Enclave, Sarvodya Enclave, Sarvpriya Vihar, East of Kailash and Pansheel Park to name some. All those indulging in commercial activity in these areas would have to close down their shops and shift to commercial areas or shopping complexes to avoid penal action by the authorities.

Similarly, the notification also does not allow running of banquet halls in residential areas and this activity has been permitted in only industrial and commercial areas. "The decision not to allow banquet halls in residential areas has been taken following the decision of the Supreme Court recently," informed Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken.

The notification envisages mixed land use permitting commercial activity on the ground floor of residential plots, allowing establishments like pre-nursery schools, nursing homes, guest houses, banks and fitness centres in these areas.

Mr. Maken said the Congress had once again protected the interests of various sections by giving them this major relief. "The notification is pro-poor and middle class and addresses their concerns while at the same time allowing the RWAs a major role in the new policy," he added.

The notification states that mixed-use streets would be identified based on traffic and parking studies by the local civic agencies. "On the basis of identification of mixed land use streets in zonal or local plans, mixed use may be permitted on the ground floor in residential plots facing streets and roads of minimum 18 metres Right of Way (RoW) in regular residential plotted development, 13.5 metres in rehabilitation colonies and 9 metres in special areas and villages," it states.

The notification allows professionals to work from their residential premises.

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