MCD Orders Inspections to Ensure Safety During Year-End Celebrations

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated random inspections of restaurants, banquet halls, clubs, and similar establishments in the city to prevent incidents related to overcrowding during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The move aims to ensure compliance with safety norms amidst the increased footfall during the festive season.

In a circular issued to district health officers, the MCD emphasized concerns about establishments exceeding permissible limits for customer occupancy. "It has been observed in the past that traders dealing with such trades allow the entry of an excess number of customers in their establishments than permitted number of seats. This is a serious violation and may lead to deterioration of food and beverage quality, any mishappening due to extra pressure on the existing infrastructure etc in the eating establishments," the circular noted.

The civic body also raised issues regarding encroachment on public land, unlicensed operations, and the setup of temporary kitchens without approval. Such practices, it stated, could pose risks to both customer safety and the health of establishment staff.

To address these concerns, the MCD has instructed officials to conduct inspections to identify and penalize violations, ensuring public health and safety during the festive period.