'Nehru Place Should Not Become A Slum': Delhi High Court Seeks SDMC's Suggestions On Management Of Squatters

Observing that Nehru Place market area in the national capital should not become a slum, the Delhi High on Wednesday sought suggestions from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on the management of squatters in the area.

Justice Manmohan and Justice Navin Chawla was hearing a suo moto case registered by the Court following a fire incident at a building in the market. 

The Court said that prima facie it was of the view that till the time another bench headed by Justice Vipin Sanghi decides the constitutionality of the Town Vending Committee, it will allow only 95 vendors for hawking in the market area, subject to verification of their names.

The Court also added that the said vendors will strictly comply with the terms of hawking and vending, will not have a permanent structure and will be confined to the hawking permitted area.

Additionally, the Court said that the fire brigade must be able to reach the area in case of emergency and that the vendors must ensure that the goods are removed and are confined to the embarked area only.

Earlier, the Court had directed the Delhi Fire Services to conduct a mock drill in the Nehru Place Market, on a working day, for the purpose of identifying shortcomings for the future. Following which, it directed the Delhi Government and Police to earmark a lane for emergency services like ambulance and fire brigades, to ensure unobstructed movement for them.

It had also directed the DDA, Delhi Police and SDMC to ensure that the recommendations and suggestions given by the Delhi Fire Brigade are implemented at the earliest.

The Court had also directed the Delhi Police and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to implement no hawking and vending policy on a daily basis.

"The enormity of the problem caused by the hawkers and vendors at the Nehru Place area can be seen from a video circulated on social media which shows that it was difficult for the fire tenders to access the building where the fire broke out. It also shows the complete lack of any cleanliness or maintenance on the part of the Municipal Authorities," the Court had said.

It was found by the Court that the hawkers and vendors had claimed the pavement space which was meant for circulation of pedestrians. Reliance was also placed on a video circulated on social media showing that it was difficult for the fire tenders to access the building where the fire broke out. 

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS