News / Author / Vibha Sharma

Vibha Sharma

Vibha Sharma covers municipal bodies in Delhi. A journalist for almost a decade, she has also worked for the hyper-local editions of Hindustan Times, covering civic concerns in south Delhi, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad.

Articles by Vibha Sharma

To protest sealing, Green Park, Hauz Khas, GK-1, South Ex markets to remain shut

Prominent south Delhi markets will remain shut on Friday to protest against the ongoing sealing drive by the Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee in city

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed 85 shops and establishments in New Rajinder Nagar, Paharganj and Malka Ganj.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 18, 2018 11:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Sealing in Delhi: SC monitoring committee refuses to give prior notice

Last week, the standing committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation had passed a resolution to give 48 hours notice to traders before a sealing drive in an area.

An official seals a basement in Defence Colony Market. Traders have said that despite having revised building plans, the civic officials sealed their premises. They have also been demanding that they be given prior notices before sealing.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 18, 2018 09:11 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

South Corporation to help owners of sealed shops in verifying documents

In case documents are found authentic, the civic body will move the monitoring committee for desealing such properties.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed the basements of 35 establishments in Defence Colony on Tuesday even as shop owners claimed they had the revised building plans.(HT Photo)

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Published on Jan 17, 2018 11:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Sealing continues in Delhi: GK-1, Hauz Khas Village under scanner after Def Col, Khan Market

Several Delhi markets are facing action for violations of civic and building bylaws. Traders, however allege that authorities have failed to come up with lasting solutions for their changing needs

Sealing drive in Khan Market. In December 2016, the Supreme Court revived its monitoring committee to seal illegal commercial establishments in Delhi.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 17, 2018 11:48 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByGulam Jeelani and Vibha Sharma

Sealing 2.0: 35 basements sealed in Delhi’s Defence Colony market

On December 22, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed 51 units for using residential properties for commercial purposes without paying the ‘use conversion’ charges.

Sealing in Defence Colony area in New Delhi on Tuesday.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 16, 2018 11:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVibha Sharma

Traders cry foul over fresh sealing drive in Delhi’s Defence Colony

A month later on Tuesday, officials of South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed the basements of 35 establishments in Defence Colony, even as shopkeepers claimed they had the revised building plans with them.

Officials of South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed the basements of 35 establishments in Defence Colony, even as shopkeepers claimed they had the revised building plans with them.

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Updated on Jan 16, 2018 11:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Deadline for ‘use conversion charge’ over, sealing drive may resume in Delhi

The sealing drive started on December 22 from the Defence Colony market in south Delhi.

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Updated on Jan 15, 2018 10:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Delhi sealing team shuts 130 Meharchand Market shops

The members of Meharchand Market Association had knocked at the doors of the Supreme Court for relief on Tuesday but their case was rejected.

Around 130 shops in Meharchand Market, Lodhi Colony, were sealed on Wednesday for violation of municipal laws.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

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Updated on Jan 11, 2018 11:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByVibha Sharma

Increase ‘floor area ratio’ if you want conversion charge: South Delhi traders

Shopkeepers say that majority of them have covered 100% area for commercial use and it would be impossible for them to demolish or restructure their establishments.

Police and NDMC officials during the sealing drive in Khan Market on Tuesday.(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Jan 09, 2018 11:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Sealing drive: December 31 deadline for shop owners to pay dues

Shop owners who do not pay revised conversion charges for use of residential property for commercial purposes by month-end, will face sealing action, said SC-appointed monitoring committee.

There will be a massive sealing drive from Monday that will target properties in markets falling under category A and B, said officials.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Dec 27, 2017 11:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

South civic body seals 30 shops in Delhi’s Chhattarpur

A team of municipal officials assisted by Delhi Police and a company of paramilitary forces reached the Chhattarpur Bhati Road, known for marble trading units at 12 noon.

Shop owners protest during a sealing drive in Chattarpur on Wednesday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Dec 27, 2017 11:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Traders resist sealing drive in Chhattarpur marble market

The south civic body officials, on the direction of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee, was taking action against the traders for misusing ‘agricultural land for commercial use’.

MCD sealed shops and farmhouses at Chhattarpur on Tuesday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Dec 27, 2017 12:57 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Pay old conversion charge to prevent sealing: SC body tells shop owners

The DDA has been asked to notify the new rates at the earliest and the pending payments have to be made by March next year.

MCD sealed shops and farm houses of Chhattarpur on Tuesday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Dec 27, 2017 12:44 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Sealing drive to continue in Delhi till Jan 12 hearing

More than 50 business units, running from properties officially earmarked as residences, have been shut down in Defence Colony and Chattarpur since Thursday, barely a few days after the SUpreme Court revived the sealing committee.

MCD officials seal shops in Defence Colony market in New Delhi.(Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Updated on Dec 24, 2017 04:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByGulam Jeelani and Vibha Sharma

Sealing drive fallout: Worried Greater Kailash traders start shifting stocks

The situation was not very different in South Extension and Green Park Market where shopkeepers held a series of meetings to decide their future action since Friday night .

Shopkeepers of Greater Kailash I, M Block market on Saturday started shifting their stock to other places in order to be not caught off guard like their Defence Colony counterparts.(Hindustan Times)

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Published on Dec 23, 2017 11:35 PM IST

HIndustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

Delhi sealing drive to move beyond shops and restaurants, says panel

The drive, which started on Thursday, is likely to turn its attention next to prominent areas of the national capital where unauthorised constructions have come up

Shops and other establishments were sealed at the Defence Colony market on Friday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Dec 23, 2017 11:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByGulam Jeelani and Vibha Sharma, New Delhi

Sealing fallout: Business slow, Defence colony traders mull legal recourse

On Saturday, shop owners at the south Delhi market said their business was “down” as fewer people visited the place

Sealed shops at the Defence Colony Market in New Delhi on Friday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Dec 23, 2017 10:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySweta Goswami and Vibha Sharma, New Delhi

No notice given, what was the urgency, question Defence Colony shop owners

Municipal authorities shut down more than 50 shops and restaurants in south Delhi’s posh Defence Colony market and Chattarpur

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Published on Dec 23, 2017 12:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma and Gulam Jeelani, New Delhi

Sealing in Delhi’s Defence Colony; Social, Moets, Aka Saka, 4S among eateries hit

Shops and restaurants that had extended businesses beyond ground floor were reportedly “sealed” in Defence Colony. Municipal officials were acting under the orders of a committee set up by SC to crack down on illegal constructions in Delhi.

Delhi Police personnel enforcing sealing drive in Defence Colony.(Vibha Sharma / HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 11:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma and Gulam Jeelani

Unsafe public toilets in Delhi force locals to relieve themselves in the open

HT SPOTLIGHT | Public toilets in many neighbourhoods in Delhi lack even the basic safety features and often serve as a den for drug addicts. When HT conducted a spot check, many toilets were found to be without lights, doors and female guards

A dirty public toilet in east Delhi’s Kailash Nagar on Wednesday.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Dec 22, 2017 12:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma and Shiv Sunny, New Delhi

Unsafe public spaces: Delhi parks become haunt of addicts, criminals

Public parks in Delhi have turned into havens for criminals. Hindustan Times visited many of them and found drug addicts, squatters, voyeurs and lack of security and lights.

The Sanjay Jheel Park in Mayur Vihar is guarded by just 10 men with lathis. It is notorious for snatching.(HT PHOTO/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Dec 20, 2017 12:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShiv Sunny and Vibha Sharma

Are Delhi’s multi-level parking lots serving their purpose? A ground report

Hindustan Times visited five multi-level parking facilities in Delhi and found that they are not being used in many areas as residents prefer to park their vehicles on the roads, leaving the multi-crore structures empty.

Hindustan Times visited multi-level parking lots across the city to find out problems of mismanagement and poor use.(HT FILE)

cities

Updated on Dec 18, 2017 03:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma

Pre-booking to cashless payment: 6 south Delhi areas identified for new parking rules

The areas where new parking will be implemented include Kailash Colony, Bhikaji Cama Place, Lajpat Nagar, GK-I (M and N) block, Nehru Place and GK-II (M Block)

Under the new parking rules, civic agencies had to prepare area specific plans on parking.(Hindustan Times)

cities

Updated on Dec 15, 2017 01:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma and Sweta Goswami

Delhi students with special needs have to make do with ill-equipped schools, teachers

Schools in Delhi are ill-equipped to handle children with special needs. They lack facilities, such as ramps and tactile pathways. Ignorance also remains a hurdle in creating inclusive classrooms for such special children.

Not many schools in Delhi have full-time special educators to cater to children who may have special needs ranging from intellectual, hearing, visual and other impairments.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Dec 11, 2017 01:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma and A Mariyam Alavi

South Delhi civic body may hike property tax, aims to up revenue by ₹100 crore

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has proposed to increase property tax on both residential as well as commercial properties falling in its jurisdiction from the next financial year.

cities

Published on Dec 09, 2017 12:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

North Delhi Corp tables budget, proposes uniform property tax of 15% in residential areas

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has proposed to do away with variable rates of property tax. The councillors will have to ratify plan before implementation.

The suggestions, if implemented, will affect at least eight lakh properties registered with north corporation(Photo: Sourced)

cities

Updated on Dec 06, 2017 12:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma

North Delhi corporation to table annual budget on Tuesday, old plans likely to figure again

North Delhi Municipal Corporation is likely to repeat incomplete, delayed projects in its annual budget on Tuesday

Rani Jhansi Grade Separator has been the works for past nine years. It is expected to figure in the budget yet again.(HT FILE)

cities

Updated on Dec 04, 2017 11:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma

Delhi: Free e-rickshaw service started at Lajpat Nagar market

The Lajpat Nagar traders’ association will bear the cost of the e-rickshaw service.

The free e-rickshaw service was kicked off on Tuesday at the Lajpat Nagar market.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Nov 28, 2017 11:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

East Delhi launches pilot project for processing non-recyclable plastic

The project -- WE CARE (Waste Efficient Collection and Recycling) — will be carried out in association with Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), an NGO empanelled with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The NGO, Indian Pollution Control Association, will assist in collection and segregation of non-recyclable (including multi- layered plastic or printed plastic) with the support of waste-pickers.(Sourced)

cities

Published on Nov 28, 2017 11:13 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma, New Delhi

South Delhi civic body gives trees a ‘face’ to end garbage dumping, spitting

Trees at public places like Greater Kailash, New Friends Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas and Munirka will now be provided these ‘faces’.

SDMC has used wood to make faces on six trees at Jangpura.(Photo: Sourced)

cities

Updated on Nov 27, 2017 05:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByVibha Sharma

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Vibha Sharma

Vibha Sharma covers municipal bodies in Delhi. A journalist for almost a decade, she has also worked for the hyper-local editions of Hindustan Times, covering civic concerns in south Delhi, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad.

Prominent south Delhi markets will remain shut on Friday to protest against the ongoing sealing drive by the Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee in city

Last week, the standing committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation had passed a resolution to give 48 hours notice to traders before a sealing drive in an area.

In case documents are found authentic, the civic body will move the monitoring committee for desealing such properties.

Several Delhi markets are facing action for violations of civic and building bylaws. Traders, however allege that authorities have failed to come up with lasting solutions for their changing needs

On December 22, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed 51 units for using residential properties for commercial purposes without paying the ‘use conversion’ charges.

A month later on Tuesday, officials of South Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed the basements of 35 establishments in Defence Colony, even as shopkeepers claimed they had the revised building plans with them.

The sealing drive started on December 22 from the Defence Colony market in south Delhi.

The members of Meharchand Market Association had knocked at the doors of the Supreme Court for relief on Tuesday but their case was rejected.

Shopkeepers say that majority of them have covered 100% area for commercial use and it would be impossible for them to demolish or restructure their establishments.

Shop owners who do not pay revised conversion charges for use of residential property for commercial purposes by month-end, will face sealing action, said SC-appointed monitoring committee.

A team of municipal officials assisted by Delhi Police and a company of paramilitary forces reached the Chhattarpur Bhati Road, known for marble trading units at 12 noon.

The south civic body officials, on the direction of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee, was taking action against the traders for misusing ‘agricultural land for commercial use’.

The DDA has been asked to notify the new rates at the earliest and the pending payments have to be made by March next year.

More than 50 business units, running from properties officially earmarked as residences, have been shut down in Defence Colony and Chattarpur since Thursday, barely a few days after the SUpreme Court revived the sealing committee.

The situation was not very different in South Extension and Green Park Market where shopkeepers held a series of meetings to decide their future action since Friday night .

The drive, which started on Thursday, is likely to turn its attention next to prominent areas of the national capital where unauthorised constructions have come up

On Saturday, shop owners at the south Delhi market said their business was “down” as fewer people visited the place

Municipal authorities shut down more than 50 shops and restaurants in south Delhi’s posh Defence Colony market and Chattarpur

Shops and restaurants that had extended businesses beyond ground floor were reportedly “sealed” in Defence Colony. Municipal officials were acting under the orders of a committee set up by SC to crack down on illegal constructions in Delhi.

HT SPOTLIGHT | Public toilets in many neighbourhoods in Delhi lack even the basic safety features and often serve as a den for drug addicts. When HT conducted a spot check, many toilets were found to be without lights, doors and female guards

Public parks in Delhi have turned into havens for criminals. Hindustan Times visited many of them and found drug addicts, squatters, voyeurs and lack of security and lights.

Hindustan Times visited five multi-level parking facilities in Delhi and found that they are not being used in many areas as residents prefer to park their vehicles on the roads, leaving the multi-crore structures empty.

The areas where new parking will be implemented include Kailash Colony, Bhikaji Cama Place, Lajpat Nagar, GK-I (M and N) block, Nehru Place and GK-II (M Block)

Schools in Delhi are ill-equipped to handle children with special needs. They lack facilities, such as ramps and tactile pathways. Ignorance also remains a hurdle in creating inclusive classrooms for such special children.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has proposed to increase property tax on both residential as well as commercial properties falling in its jurisdiction from the next financial year.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has proposed to do away with variable rates of property tax. The councillors will have to ratify plan before implementation.

North Delhi Municipal Corporation is likely to repeat incomplete, delayed projects in its annual budget on Tuesday

The Lajpat Nagar traders’ association will bear the cost of the e-rickshaw service.

The project -- WE CARE (Waste Efficient Collection and Recycling) — will be carried out in association with Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), an NGO empanelled with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Trees at public places like Greater Kailash, New Friends Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas and Munirka will now be provided these ‘faces’.

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