Cheer returns to Delhi's Hauz Khas Village, 26 restaurants reopen

New Delhi: The cheer is back in Delhi's popular Hauz Khas area after the National Green Tribunal allowed 26 restaurants to reopen in the heritage village today. The mood was upbeat as some restaurant owners broke into an impromptu dance to the sound of the beating drums just as the eateries started reopening.

Last week, the popular restaurants were shut down after the Tribunal found them operating without adequate pollution control steps like effluent treatment plants. Now, those who agreed to clean up their acts can serve food again.

The Tribunal's order came as a huge relief for restaurant owners who have pegged their losses at close to Rs one crore following three days of closure.

A restaurateur, who didn't wish to be named, said, "We lost the weekend footfall, but whatever the court has ordered is positive."

Restaurants like Amour, Diva Piccola, Out of the Box, Garage Inc, Raas and Kaffeine are among the 14 eateries that have started the process of setting up treatment plants and therefore spared any more penalties.

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11 others including Zo, Golconda Bowl, Mia Bella and Naivedhyam have started the process of setting up the plants and have been given four weeks to comply.

SS Sarna of the Hauz Khas Village Traders' Association told NDTV, "I'm happy we rose to the occasion. Although it means a lot of money and a lot of inconvenience, we all took it in the right spirit. It's like a surgery that you need."

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But restaurants still operating without pollution control measures will continue to stay shut. Among them are The 1970 Cafe, Dzukou and TLR Cafe.

It is not just the Haus Khaz Village that is being scrutinized. The Tribunal has also set up a seven-member committee to oversee pollution compliance of more than 20,000 restaurants across Delhi.