Delhi has 237 licensed spa centres; over 1,500 estimated to be operating

More than 1,500 spa and wellness centres are estimated to be operating in the national capital, while only 237 currently hold valid licences from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, accounting for less than 16 per cent of the estimated total, officials said on Saturday.

The figures come amid repeated police raids on spa centres in the city. In the latest operations in central Delhi, police rescued 19 women and arrested 10 people. Earlier raids have also led to women being rescued from spa centres and investigations into alleged human trafficking.

Of the 237 centres across 10 zones with valid MCD licences, the South East zone has the highest number at 46, followed by the South zone with 44, Keshavpuram with 38, Karol Bagh with 33, and West with 32. Additionally, Najafgarh has 19 licensed centres, Shahdara South 15, Rohini six, Civil Lines three, and City S P zone one.

The civic body said the current licences are valid at least until March 31, 2027. The number of valid licences, however, is only part of the picture. The corporation's records contain 645 licence entries for spa and wellness centres between 2023 and 2026. Of these, 517 have passed their recorded validity dates, while another 128 have no expiry date mentioned.