MUMBAI SHOPPING MALLS, RESTAURANTS TO REMAIN OPEN 24*7

Accordingly, all establishments falling within ‘gated communities’, non-residential zones with security, CCTVs, parking areas, etc, can remain open round-the-clock from January 27. The commercial establishments will have options to keep them open 24*7 on all days or weekends/ holidays/festivals depending on their specific business potential.

- Charu Lamba

After nearly three decades, Mumbai will regain its freedom to remain awake and busy with commercial establishments allowed to function 24*7 from midnight of January 26-27, officials said.

The long-pending proposal to keep all restaurants, malls, multiplexes, shopping plazas, etc. open 24 hrs was given the green signal late at a meeting chaired by Environment & Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray. Accordingly, all (above) establishments falling within ‘gated communities’, nonresidential zones with security, CCTVs, parking areas, etc, can remain open round-the-clock from January 27.

“There are around two dozen malls, besides other places which will fall in this category. Since Mumbai is a city that is active almost round-the-clock, this is expected to benefit the people, besides tourists,” Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi told news agency IANS. He said that unlike other cities which have unlimited space but limited active hours, Mumbai has little scope to expand further so it must capitalize on existing resources by keeping them open longer.

“We are also planning to set up 24*7 Food Courts across the city where people can go anytime. This will generate more employment opportunities and open more business avenues,” Pardeshi said.