Shops in Nariman Point, Kala Ghoda may be allowed to remain open 24/7 from December
The home department is apprehensive about allowing establishments to remain open 24/7 over possible rise in law & order situations (Representational Image. Courtesy: happytrips.com)
If everything goes to plan, shops and establishments in areas like Nariman Point and Kala Ghoda in South Mumbai will likely be allowed to remain open 24/7 before the end of 2017.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the development to Times of India, adding that the necessary departments were already working on the finer details.
The move is expected to increase employment opportunities in the city as businesses increase their working hours, and in effect, the number of shifts. It may also help reduce congestion on city roads.
The 24/7 establishments will be restricted to a select few areas initially. The Mumbai police, which will be majorly impacted by the move, has suggested implementing the scheme in areas like Nariman Point and Kala Ghoda in South Mumbai first.
A pilot project in these areas will help cops understand its law and order implications and give them time to make adjustments to their regular operations. South Mumbai, incidentally, already sees more police presence and patrolling that most other areas.
Earlier this year, the Union government approved a model law that allowed shops and establishments to remain open 24 hours a day.
Later, during the monsoon session, the state legislature passed the Shops & Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill allowing retail stores, malls, theatres, chemists, restaurants among others to remain open 24/7.
The bill laid down a list of rules that establishments will be required to adhere to and made the process of acquiring the necessary licenses and permissions easier.
Meanwhile, not everyone is happy with the decision.
The home department, for one, is apprehensive over the lack of manpower for additional security and a possible rise in the law and order situations in the city.
While talking to the daily, Association of Hotels & Restaurants (AHAR) chairman Niranjan Shetty also suggested giving permissions to shops located near major stations like Mumbai Central and Dadar as they are crowded throughout the day.
The city reportedly has around 8,000 restaurants and bars, of which near 25 percent are situated in commercial areas in Nariman Point, Lowe Parel, BKC, Andheri etc.
