Mumbai Nightlife Back: Malls, Eateries Can Stay Open 24X7 From Jan 27

Mumbai: Mumbai can now be rightly called ‘the city that never sleep’ with malls, restaurants, shops and hotels being allowed to remain open all night from January 27.

According to the decision taken in a meeting chaired state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday, establishments, which fall under ‘gated communities’ with CCTV surveillance and parking facilities and non-residential areas, can avail the facility. However, alcohol can be served at these places only till 1.30am in accordance with the existing rule.

“Restaurants and shops in gated communities can stay open 24X7 even from today if they want. However, the commercial establishments themselves said they needed some time for preparations, and that they would be in a position to operate 24X7 from January 27. This will only be in non-residential areas and gated communities. Alcohol will not be served beyond the existing cut-off time,” municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi was quoted as saying by Free Press Journal.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, at least 25 malls and several other shops and restaurants across the city can stay open round-the-clock. The owners can also decide which days they can keep their establishments open in view of the business benefits.

Reviving Mumbai’s nightlife has been a pet project of Aaditya Thackeray, who mooted it first in 2013 as president of Yuva Sena.