Uproar at Delhi’s Khan Market after signboards removed in civic body drive

On Monday morning, traders and visitors to Delhi’s Khan Market were startled by excavators demolishing signboards and removing water motors from several shops. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) was undertaking an unannounced crackdown, stating that these businesses were violating the Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017.

In March, the NDMC had issued new guidelines to commercial establishments, mandating them to alter their signage to adhere to the OAP. Notices were dispatched to traders in key commercial districts, such as Khan Market, Connaught Place, and Bengali Market, detailing the updated regulations. The rules stipulated that shop signage must be limited to the storefront and could not surpass 2.5 square meters in surface area.

Businesses found with non-compliant signs would face a fee, as per the notice. Traders reported that NDMC officials arrived unannounced in the morning to dismantle the signboards and motors. Sanjeev Mehra, President of the Khan Market Traders’ Association, revealed that around 11 am, NDMC officials appeared without warning and removed signage and motors from approximately 20 shops and eateries.

Mehra expressed confusion over the incident, noting that while they had received a notice, it was unclear what they had done wrong. NDMC officials had not visited the market to explain the situation either. Another trader commented, "They removed our signboards without telling us what we did wrong." Attempts to contact the NDMC for clarification on the drive were unsuccessful.