NEW DELHI: Food trucks dishing out popular delicacies have become a constant feature in most NCR areas other than Delhi. The scenario may change soon with the standing committee of the south corporation deciding to restart issuing these licences.

Twelve years after the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi had stopped issuing them due to traffic congestion and sanitation issues, the committee has approved a proposal for granting permanent licences to restaurants of new design, including e-food carts, food trucks and buses.

According to the proposal, food trucks will be a revenue source and also generate employment in 104 wards under South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). A licence process will be created under which vacant land of corporation and other institutions like Delhi Metro and DDA will be put to good use, it adds.

A senior official said norms could be changed to take care of old problems. “We will put restrictions so that such situations do not arise again,” he added. “These units are not expected to occupy space for an entire day. Trucks on wheels can be moved out after business hours. Safety norms and traffic concerns will not be compromised.”

Medical Relief and Public Health Committee has asked the public health department to reframe rules and start issuing licences. Given the low cost, many beginner restaurateurs want to open food truck businesses. The SDMC data shows that only around 60 food truck licences are currently valid in its areas. West Zone has 16 licences, Najafgarh 11, South 13 and Central 20.

Besides permission from the land owning agency, an NOC from Delhi Traffic Police will be necessary. About the problems faced earlier, officials said these vans were supposed to be mobile and a fitness certificate of the vehicle was also to be submitted regularly. But most vans became stationary, one of them pointed out. The traffic police also changed locations of many trucks, he added.