Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 14 Oct: The impact of Supreme Court directives banning commercial activities in residential buildings is now being felt in Mussoorie. Concerns among locals have risen following notices issued by the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) to homestay and Bed & Breakfast (B&B) operators. The Mussoorie Homestay Association held a meeting at a restaurant hall to discuss the issue; operators voiced their concerns, arguing that homestays run from private homes should not be categorized alongside large commercial establishments. Participants noted that many families in Mussoorie sustain themselves through self-employment by offering accommodation and meals to domestic and international tourists in a few rooms of their own homes. Many have taken bank loans or invested their life savings for this purpose. Consequently, the threat of official action jeopardizes their livelihoods. Operators emphasized that homestays not only promote tourism but also provide employment opportunities for locals.
During the meeting, Devi Godiyal stated that homestay and B&B operators are running their units after registering under the Uttarakhand government’s tourism policy. The government itself advocates for connecting locals to tourism through their homes and promoting self-employment. Despite this, the notices received by operators have created a state of confusion. They demanded a clear interpretation of the rules and urged authorities not to harass operators unnecessarily.
Rajat Agarwal, BJP Mussoorie Mandal President, stated that the lack of clarity regarding the Master Plan and land-use provisions in Mussoorie is creating confusion concerning residential versus non-residential usage. He emphasized that the regulatory position must be clarified before any enforcement action is taken. He demanded that eligible units be granted the opportunity for ‘compounding’ (regularization through a penalty/fee) in accordance with the rules. Agarwal affirmed his support for the business community and assured them that their concerns would be raised at the appropriate levels. During the meeting, Sunil Sonkar, founder of the Mussoorie Homestay Association, urged the government to formulate a concrete policy on this matter promptly. He suggested considering measures like a ‘one-time settlement’ scheme to provide relief to compliant units without jeopardizing the self-employment of local residents.
It was decided during the meeting that a delegation of homestay operators would soon meet the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mussoorie, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, and the Chief Secretary to present their grievances. The Association advocates for a policy that clearly distinguishes between homestays and large commercial hotels, ensuring regulatory compliance while safeguarding the livelihoods of local families.
It is worth noting that the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) is currently inspecting and issuing notices to commercial activities operating within residential buildings. Reports indicate that over 200 establishments fall under the scope of the Authority’s investigation. Meanwhile, the administration maintains that compliance with applicable regulations—including land-use norms, registration requirements, and fire safety standards—must be ensured. Consequently, homestay operators are seeking clear government guidelines to differentiate between families engaged in legitimate self-employment and establishments conducting large-scale commercial operations in violation of the rules. Several homestay and B&B operators, including Sunil Rawat, Balveer Rawat, Anupam Negi, Naveen Goyal, and Madan Gunsola, were present at the meeting.
