Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Khan Market Signage Removal Sparks Uproar in Delhi
On Monday morning, people at a famous shopping area in Delhi called Khan Market saw big machines taking down shop signs.
The city council, called the NDMC, did this without telling people in advance.
The council said many shops were breaking a rule about signs.
The rule is called the Outdoor Advertisement Policy of 2017.
In March, the council told shopkeepers to change their signs so they follow the rule.
The rule says a shop's sign must not be bigger than 2.5 square metres.
The sign must also stay within the front of the shop and not spill over.
Shops that keep signs that follow the rule will have to pay a fee.
The notices went to shops in Khan Market, Connaught Place, and Bengali Market.
Many shopkeepers and visitors were upset about the signs being taken down.
Excavators razed signages and removed water motors of several establishments at Khan Market on Monday morning.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) conducted an unannounced drive, alleging non-compliance with the Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017.
In March, NDMC issued fresh directives requiring shopkeepers to modify their signage to comply with the OAP.
Under the guidelines, signage must be confined within a shop's frontage and must not exceed 2.5 square metres in surface area.
Notices were sent to traders in Khan Market, Connaught Place, and Bengali Market, and businesses retaining signs will face a fee.
- Who
- The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and traders at Khan Market.
- What
- An unannounced drive in which excavators razed signages and removed water motors of establishments allegedly not following the Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017.
- When
- Monday morning, following fresh directives issued by the NDMC in March.
- Where
- Khan Market in Delhi, with notices also sent to traders in Connaught Place and Bengali Market.
- Why
- The NDMC alleged that the premises were not following the Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017.
- Enforcing body
- New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)
- Location
- Khan Market, Delhi
- Policy cited
- Outdoor Advertisement Policy (OAP) 2017
- Signage size limit
- 2.5 square metres, confined within shop frontage
- Markets notified
- Khan Market, Connaught Place, Bengali Market
- Actions taken
- Signages razed and water motors removed using excavators
- Directives issued
- March, requiring shopkeepers to modify signage
- Fee
- Businesses installing or retaining compliant signs are subject to a fee