Khan Market fire safety: High Court seeks reply of licensing and fire authorities

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court today asked the licensing authority and Delhi Fire Services (DFS) whether the eateries in Khan Market complied with fire safety norms and were eligible for licence to expand their space.

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw included Deputy Commissioner of Police (Licensing) and DFS as respondents in the matter and issued notice to them seeking their response on a plea of welfare association of Khan Market seeking directions to NDMC to carry out redevelopment of the area by including fire safety measures and sanitation arrangements.

The association submitted a redevelopment plan of the area and contended that New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has to put in place fire safety measures including construction of fire platforms for evacuation purposes.

NDMC, represented by advocate Anil Grover, refuted the contentions saying any redevelopment has to be carried out by the association at its own cost as Khan Market was a private market.

Grover said that the plan submitted by the market has not been sanctioned due to "lack of consensus" between the petitioner, Khan Market Welfare Association, and Khan Market Traders Association on the issue of redevelopment. The former represents traders on the first floor, while the latter represents those having shops on the ground floor.

The first floor restaurants comprise Urban Café, Amichi, Big Chill, Mamagoto, Barcelos and Town Hall among others.

Another issue on which the court has sought responses of the licensing authority and DFS is the plea of the petitioner association to utilise some additional free space they have to accommodate more customers for which compliance of fire safety norms is a requirement.

The authorities have to submit their replies by August 11, the next date of hearing.