NEW DELHI: The sealing drive targeting shops and eateries in Delhi’s Rajouri Garden market for allegedly flouting municipal rules is turning out to be favourable for the outlets in Punjabi Bagh. The young crowd from west Delhi now throngs the latter area to gorge on piping hot vada pavs, kebabs and momos. It wasn’t long ago when the nearly 1.5 km stretch on the Punjabi Bagh Club Road was a residential area with a few eateries. However, in the past one year, the stretch has become a popular place for hangout among youngsters from west Delhi.
Nitin Arora, a college student from north Delhi, prefers spending time in the area with his friends. “A lot of my friends are not allowed to go for late night parties, and so I bring them here where we hang out and enjoy without breaking the rules,” he said. The sealing of many illegal eateries built in Rajouri Garden, hardly 3kms away from Punjabi Bagh, has also contributed to the popularity of the area.
Over 20 outlets, including restaurants, lounges and spas, have come up in the area in a year, say the eatery owners. In order to not risk their outlets being sealed, owners of the outlets have followed all norms to convert the residential area to commercial and obtained required licences. “The setting up of a couple of lounges in the area years ago pulled the young crowd from Rajouri and the recent sealing there has further helped growing business on this stretch of Punjabi Bagh.
Noticing the popularity the place is gaining, popular brands have set up their branches,” said Amit, general manager of a lounge and bar in the area. Sagar Rajpal, a city-based restaurateur, acknowledged the area has attracted youngsters in the last one year, along with entrepreneurs and businessmen, following the sealing drive in Rajouri Garden.
A lesson learnt
Over 20 outlets, including restaurants, lounges and spas, have come up in the area in a year. In order to not risk their outlets being sealed, owners of the outlets have followed all norms to convert the residential area to commercial and obtained required licences.