Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (Press Trust of India photo)
In a major move, the AAP government has ordered sealing of 77 budget hotels near IGI airport here which were allegedly operating without permission from either civic and police authorities or Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
These hotels in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area are popular among tourists due to their proximity to the airport.
Out of the 77, officials of DPCC have sealed around 27 hotels till this evening for violating laid down norms, even as scores of people staged protests against the decision.
"On National Green Tribunal's direction, DPCC checked documents of all 77 hotels and found out that they were operating without licence from municipal corporations and Delhi Police. They also did not have pollution-checking devices. Thereafter, the government issued a closure direction for them," Delhi Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan said.
Khan said the government has also directed authorities to cut the water and electricity supply of the 77 hotels.
"In NGT, a case pertaining to this matter has already been going on for a long time. NGT also found that these establishments were illegally drawing water from borewells. We have got to know that they (owners of these hotels) are going to appeal against the order in NGT," Mr Khan added.
He further said the government will act strongly against those causing pollution and will comply with the NGT order.
According to an official, DPCC found several lapses in function of these hotels which were allegedly drawing water from about 30 borewells. They also did not have permission to use groundwater and were allegedly functioning illegally.