Hauz Khas eateries fined for violating green, noise rules

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and civic authorities have found a series of violations related to noise pollution and environmental norms at south Delhi's popular party hub - Hauz Khas Village - during a series of joint inspections, DPCC said in a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal.

- Paras Singh

The report dated December 7 said that 23 units were inspected by the teams and 11 were found to be non-compliant with environmental laws. Three restaurant-cum-bars were found operating without the necessary Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) health trade license, four were found violating environmental norms under Air and Water Acts, and environmental damage compensation (EDC) was imposed on 10 units for violating noise norms.

The matter was taken up by NGT in April this year based on complaints against restaurants/ bars and cafes that have been organising live music events on rooftops with loudspeakers and sound equipment.

The report signed by Ajeeta Dayal Agrawal, senior environment engineer, said that a joint team of MCD officials, subdivisional magistrate (Hauz Khas) and DPCC carried out the inspections from October 6 to 28 during which 12 units were found to be adhering to norms.