Restaurants and bars now have a deadline of 1.30 am in Mumbai.
Mumbai could soon pull out the stops to prove itself the entertainment capital of the country. Its 1.30 am deadline for restaurants and bars is likely to be discarded, an initiative championed by Aditya Thackeray, the 24-year-old leader of the Shiv Sena, which co-governs Maharashtra with the BJP.
Malls, clubs could stay open 24X7, along with chemists and convenience stores, tweeted Mr Thackeray, while suggesting "non-residential areas like Kala Ghoda, Nariman Point can be Special Entertainment zones at night."
Mr Thackeray's proposal has been cleared by the city police; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP has said he will ask the state legislature to amend existing laws to allow Mumbai after-hours entertainment.
Mr Thackeray, whose father Uddhav is the Shiv Sena chief, has said that a "vibrant nightlife" for Mumbai is an easy booster for tourism and revenue.
In addition to ensure there are more policemen on the streets late at night, public transport will have to be amped up. "There should be no problems to residents in the night due to these establishments, and proper arrangements should be made to drop the patrons home. In terms of malls, we don't think running a bar or a pub in the mall at night will pose problems to anybody," said Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria to the newspaper mid-day.
The 1.30 am curfew for the city was introduced after the incidents in the city in 1992-93. The plan for an open-all-night Mumbai was prepped by the city's corporation, which is controlled by Mr Thackeray's party, two years ago.
"By the time people get off work, go home, change and head out, it is already late. So it is not just good for youngsters but also people who are working late", said Ankita, a tattoo artist in the city. "It's okay when you need to grab a bite urgently but I am shaky about the safety aspect," said Millrid, a student from Xavier's college.