Holding events at Ramlila Maidan to pinch pockets as North MCD hikes rent

Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan would soon be costlier for organisers as the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North MCD) has decided to increase the rent from Rs 5,000 to 50,000 per day.

A proposal regarding the hike was made by North MCD Commissioner PK Gupta during the meeting of the Standing Committee on Wednesday. As per the proposal, the fee of Ramlila Maidan would be revised, owing to the expenses of cleaning the ground before and after the events. The proposal was passed by the members of the Committee accordingly and now it will be placed at the House for the final nod.

Meanwhile, the Corporation informed that the fee for religious events would remain the same which is Rs 1,000 per day. Standing Committee Chairman Mohan Bhardwaj said: “The civic agency has been charging a very low amount for booking Ramlila Maidan, but now it will be revised as the Corporation has to bear expenses for its cleaning and sanitation.”

Spread over an area of seven <g data-gr-id="33">acre</g>, the Ramlila Maidan can accommodate up to one lakh people at a time. Traditionally, a popular site for political events and the annual <g data-gr-id="29">Ramlilas</g>, the ground holds a special significance for Delhi.

This apart, the ground has been a platform to several events in the national Capital varying from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s oath ceremonies in 2014 and 15, to mass crusader Anna Hazare's anti-corruption protests in 2011. 

The ground also saw Yoga guru Ramdev’s hunger strike the same year. When not booked, the ground at Minto Road serves as a parking lot for trucks and cars. Recently, the ground was thronged by thousands on the International Day for Yoga.