Delhi to Introduce Third-Party Fire Licensing and Single-Window System for Hotels and Restaurants

NCT of Delhi to Streamline Licensing for Hospitality Sector

The Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, announced that Delhi will soon permit third-party audits for fire licences and introduce a single-window system for hotel and restaurant permits. The initiative aims to simplify the process for hoteliers and restaurant operators.

Gupta explained that the third-party audit will be an essential step towards improving the ease of doing business. Measures will also be taken to allow other licences issued by MCD, DDA, and the Delhi Government to be processed through a single-window system. The decision regarding fire licensing was taken at the recent fire review meeting of the NCT of Delhi, which also identified pending cases from previous governments. The current administration is addressing these as a priority.

The announcement was made during the summit Viksit Delhi, Viksit Tourism & Hospitality: Together Towards a Viksit Bharat, jointly organised by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI).

To address pollution in the city, hoteliers and restaurant operators have been advised to install mist fogging on rooftops, which will help reduce air pollution and water usage. The practice has already been implemented in select locations and will be expanded across the city.

President of FHRAI, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, presented the association’s initiative to replace anti-smog guns with sustainable pollution-mitigation alternatives using dry-fog technology. This reduces water consumption by nearly 90 per cent and is easy to install.

Gupta also assured that additional reforms would be introduced to make Delhi a hub for events and conferences, improving the city’s appeal for visitors. She highlighted the government’s commitment to projecting Delhi positively and noted that, with support from Prime Minister Modi, Diwali has been recognised on the UNESCO list.

Jaiswal praised the government for policy decisions, including the removal of mandatory "Eating House Licences" and police clearance, while ensuring that fire licensing and multiple approvals would be streamlined through the new system.

The summit included an exhibition of Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) from seven states, showcasing regional and GI-tagged products. Ankita Jaiswal, Chairperson, Sustainable & Responsible Tourism, HRANI & UPHRA, emphasised that the initiative bridges a gap between hospitality and agriculture, supporting farmers while enabling sourcing and business opportunities.

Dr Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director, ITPO, highlighted the importance of policy support, infrastructure expansion, and operational ease for sector growth.

The summit concluded with a speech by Garish Oberoi, Honorary Secretary, FHRAI and Past President, FHRAI & HRANI, recognising the government's efforts to streamline licensing, introduce the Draft Industrial Policy, and promote MICE tourism, skill development, and reduced red tape.

A panel discussion titled Branding Delhi for Growth Opportunities focused on destination branding, urban cleanliness, skill alignment, sustainable tourism, pollution control, and improving Delhi’s visitor experience. Ashwni Kumar Goela, Area General Manager, Rajasthan & Agra, Radisson Hotel Group, and General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport moderated the session. Panellists included Dr L. R. Verma, Municipal Health Officer, MCD; Kamal Kant Pant, Principal, IHM PUSA; Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council; and Chef Rakesh Sethi, Corporate Chef, Radisson Hotel Group.

Special Awards of Excellence in Hospitality were presented to individuals and organisations for operational efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and workforce development, including Jyotsna Suri (The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group), Amaan R Kidwai (ITC Maurya), Sushil Vaishnav (ECOIL), and other industry leaders.

Technical sessions covered initiatives such as the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) programme by EC Oil, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) by Rishi Gupta, focusing on digital enablement and market access for hospitality businesses.

Industry leaders, including Amarvir Singh and Pranay Aneja, attended the summit, reflecting strong support for the government’s initiatives and the objectives of the hospitality sector