Mumbai Allows Eateries & Pubs to remain Open 24x7
The Maharashtra government has decided to allow shops, malls, pubs and restaurants to remain open 24X7 at non-residential areas in Mumbai from 26th January.
The Maharashtra government has decided to allow shops, malls, pubs and restaurants to remain open 24X7 at non-residential areas in Mumbai from January 26.Various businesses are very happy with this decision. Kunal Vardhan who runs the Atria Mall in Worli said, ‘It has restored life and some excitement to Mumbai. It will truly make Mumbai a global city.”
Niranjan Shetty, president of the Restaurant and Hotel owners association (AHAR) Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association) said, “Mumbai is known as ‘the city which does not sleep’ but it sure has lost some of its charm and nightlife in the last few years. There can still be life if the proposal is adopted for it will boost tourism, generate plentiful jobs and revenue.”Aaditya Thackeray is now the Maharashtra’s Tourism Minister. Since 2013, he has been batting for all-night-open eateries and other establishments.
Announcing the decision, Aaditya said, “Indore’s Sarafa Market is also open at night. Even Ahmedabad city has made some changes in its policy last year. Mumbai, too, should not lag behind in providing similar facilities to people at night as the metropolis functions 24x7.” He said the move is expected to increase tourism, generate demand, revive industries, create jobs at malls and shopping complexes, which would now have to allot at least three shifts for personnel to cope with a 24X7 cycle. To keep the shops open is not compulsory though.
However BJP is completely against this idea. Former BJP Raj Purohit said if pubs, restaurants are open all night, people will start drinking more and then there will be more rapes like Nirbhaya. He said Aditya Thackeray must think if such culture is good for India.
