A delegation of The Automobile Traders Association Delhi (ATAD), led by Prem Bagga, President, ATAD; Ashok Sachdev, Vice President, ATAD; Rakesh Jain, Past President FADA & ATAD; and comprising a number of other automobile dealers in Delhi met Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, at her residence on 23rd September 2004.
At the meeting, it was explained to her that the closure of authorised automobile service and repair workshops would compound the problem further, instead of remedying the situation. Such a move would lead to the mushrooming of unauthorised roadside garages and mechanics, who not only encroach on the public land thereby creating nuisance to the nearby residents and road users, but also do not have technical equipment and competence to handle sophisticated vehicles being produced and sold currently.
Combined effect of improperly repaired vehicles and vehicles in a state of disrepair plying on the roads, would give rise to more pollution, breakdowns and traffic congestion on the roads. The delegation pointed out to the Chief Minister that the authorised automobile workshops have the latest equipments and gadgets for repair/service of vehicles and have also installed Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), noise muffler, and pollution controlling devices.
It was submitted that the automobile repair and service workshops do not carry any manufacturing activity and therefore, are not an industry. The Chief Minister was urged to treat automobile workshops as utility in the same way as petrol Pumps by suitably amending the Delhi Master Plan.
The issue was again raised at another meeting organised by the Policy Planning Group on 30th September 2004. The Chief Minister in reply reiterated the Memorandum of Submissions received from ATAD at the earlier meeting was being examined by the Delhi Government.
Uncertainty and anxiety continue to haunt automobile dealers in Delhi for the simple reason that barring assurances, nothing concrete has emerged from Delhi Government to address this issue. Authorised automobile workshops have reason to worry as electricity and water have already been disconnected in the case of a few automobile workshops.
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