Residents of Delhi can now enjoy open-air dining at their favourite restaurants as long as certain requirements established by the relevant authority have been met.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has granted licences for terrace- and open-air dining to 200 establishments across the national capital in less than a week. Of the total 200 licences given so far, of them 155 are for open space dining and the remaining 45 are for terrace dining.
According to MCD sources, it has received 250 applications till now. It is taking an average of 3-4 days to process the applications, the MCD is granting 25-30 licenses per day. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had on October 31 set up a high-power committee to ease the licensing process and requirements for restaurants and hotels with an aim of providing an overall fillip to the Hospitality Sector, by paving the way forward for late Night Dining, Alfresco Eateries and Dining in open air and terraces. The move, officials said, would boost the hospitality sector and allow dining till late and on terraces.
The committee submitted its report within 15 days, following which the MCD invited applications from restaurants and eateries for open-air dining. The Committee submitted its report in 15 days, where after the MCD started inviting applications for open air dining.
Saxena has held several meetings with officials of Delhi Police, local bodies and the Environment department, among others, over the last month to ensure that an enabling regimen is put in place for the hotel/restaurant/hospitality industry, said the source.
He has stressed on rationalising licensing requirements, easing prohibitive regulations and processes, ensuring faceless and online interface between regulators and entrepreneurs to mitigate harassment and corruption and ensuring security through proper law & order.
Up till now, Hospitality Establishments/Entrepreneurs, especially those from the small and medium segment, in the City were subjected to registration/licensing and inspecting processes of Delhi Police, Local Bodies (MCD & NDMC), Fire Department and the DPCC.
According to an official document, eateries in the national capital with terraces and open dining spaces will also not require any additional fire safety certificate from the Delhi Fire Service.
“It is excepted that the changes and amendments brought about, vide the report of this committee, will not only come as big relief to the pandemic marred Hospitality Industry, but more importantly, also provide a major boost to the ‘Night Time Economy’, thereby generating greater employment and ensuring Economic Growth,” sources added.
Earlier, no cooking or food preparation is permitted in the open area, terrace, or portion of terrace, per the rules established by the civic body. Moreover, people sitting in the open area or on the terrace shouldn't be drinking in plain sight of onlookers.
