Delhi scraps B&B policy, a day after devastating fire

The Delhi Government on Thursday said that it would withdraw its Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B) policy even as the police on Thursday intensified its investigation into the devastating fire at one such facility in that claimed 21 lives.

Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra told The Pioneer that the Government is going to officially withdraw the B&B scheme, and all establishments licensed under it will be checked. The decision to withdraw the policy comes despite the tourism department recently proposing a revamp of the scheme.

More than 2,500 rooms across 700 properties are registered under the Bed and Breakfast scheme in Delhi.

“Action would be taken against operators found violating the terms of the licence. If any establishment registered under the scheme is found running more than six rooms, its licence will be cancelled,” the minister said.

According to Mishra, Flourish Stay was granted a licence in 2024 for six rooms, with validity until 2027. However, investigators said the hotel was allegedly operating nearly four times beyond its permitted strength and did not possess the mandatory fire safety clearance.

Explaining the role of the tourism department, Mishra said its responsibility is largely limited to granting and renewing licences and verifying compliance during inspections. “The owners are required to submit guest records to the local police station every 15 days. The tourism department does not have a role in the day-to-day functioning of these establishments,” he said.

Police investigations revealed that what was licensed as a six-room bed-and-breakfast (B&B) was in Malviya Nagar, in reality, operating as a 26-room hotel. While the restaurant operating on the first floor had permission only to run a tea-and-snack outlet. The structure never received a sanctioned building plan from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and lacked a mandatory fire safety No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

The B&B scheme, introduced under the Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Act, 2007, was designed to promote affordable accommodation in residential neighbourhoods while ensuring basic safety and quality standards. The rules limit establishments to a maximum of six double-bed rooms that require adequate ventilation, lighting, water supply, power arrangements and parking facilities. The owner must also reside on the premises, and the property is not meant to function as a commercial hotel.

According to experts, the policy, officially known as National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007’-- which started during the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010 -- has serious loopholes regarding safety norms.

“When the B&B scheme was started in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, there was a provision that in the residential building, the owner had to live in the building, which was later removed from the scheme. In this accident, we see that the owner was not living with them,” Rajesh Pawar, former Delhi chief fire officer, said. Panwar said in the policy, there was no provision for fire extinguishers or fire safety.  “There was only one point that heat and smoke detectors should be desirable rather than mandatory, making installation entirely at the owner’s discretion. I think heat and smoke detectors should be mandatory in the policy.

Urban planning expert Jagdish Mamgain said the city has witnessed a series of fatal incidents in recent months, raising concerns about enforcement and regulatory oversight.

“In the last one to one-and-a-half years, Delhi has witnessed several deaths due to fire incidents and building collapses. The latest fire tragedy and the building collapse in Saidulajab point to a larger systemic issue that needs attention,” he said.

Mamgain, a former chairman of the works committee of the erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi, said the frequent incidents suggest gaps in monitoring and enforcement.

The tourism department has released a draft policy proposing several changes to the existing framework. It introduced two categories -- Gold and Silver -- with classification based on factors such as room size, furnishings, sanitation standards, guest amenities and safety arrangements. The draft policy proposes allowing residential properties to operate small-scale guest accommodation facilities with a minimum of one room and a maximum of eight rooms or 16 beds.

The tourism department has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public within 30 days of May 26 through email and post for improving the draft policy in line with the requirements of the industry, the visitors and the convenience of users. The draft policy puts emphasis on guest safety, particularly of women travellers. All registered B&B units will be required to maintain verified guest records, upload guest details on the tourism department portal and comply with police verification norms. Operators will also have to install fire extinguishers, smoke or heat detectors, first aid kits and proper locking systems. CCTV coverage has also been proposed for entrance and common areas in higher-category units.

According to Mishra, the draft further proposes strict monitoring and compliance provisions. Authorities will be empowered to inspect premises without prior notice and issue rectification notices if deficiencies are found. Continued violations may lead to suspension, cancellation or blacklisting of registrations. A registration may also be cancelled in cases involving misrepresentation, criminal activities, serious hygiene or safety violations, misuse of premises or repeated non-compliance with operational guidelines.