Parul
As per news reports, the Maharashtra government on January 22 cleared the proposal to keep Mumbai open for 24 hours from January 27. However, there will be no relaxation in excise rules. Also, this decision only implies on eateries, shops and cafes and not bars or pubs.
Mumbai 24 hours, a pet project of tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray since 2013, will finally be a reality. Shops, food courts, and cafes in malls and mill compounds in non-residential areas in the city will now remain open for 24 hours.
Mr. Thackery quoted, “I had first moved the idea in 2013. The previous government cleared the proposal in 2017 but it was never implemented for reasons unknown to me. But today, we have decided to go ahead with it from January 27. This is not mandatory to all shops, but those who want to remain open for 24 hours can do so. They will have to have to follow labour laws by bringing in workers in three shifts.”
He also added that the establishments can either have private security or can pay Mumbai police for it which will open a door of revenue for the force as well. There will be no violation of law or peace as it will be done in non-residential areas. He also said that Mumbai is one of the safest city in the country.
In the Mumbai 24 hours project, malls and compounds have their own parking areas, CCTVs, noise control rules and security arrangements. This move by the Maharashtra government is likely to create jobs, increase revenue and as well as confirm the status of the Mumbai that of a city which never sleeps. Apart from this, two lanes, one each at Bandra Kurla Complex and Nariman Point will be made available solely for food trucks.
