Mumbai needs to keep shops and restaurants open throughout night, as most citizens work till late says Aaditya Thackeray

After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised apprehensions on the state’s decision to approve the plan to let commercial establishments in the city operate 24×7, Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday, sought to justify the move, saying that a city like Mumbai needs to keep shops and restaurants open throughout night, as most citizens work till late and cannot go out with friends and families after their work hours, as most establishments close early.’Mumbaiites, mostly the youth, work till late. When they plan to go out with their friends or family post-work hours, the shops and restaurants close for the day. With the 24/7 plan, we want to provide the citizens with the option to shop or dine at restaurants late at night,’ Thackeray said.On Thursday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police, in a meeting headed by Thackeray, decided to permit establishments across the city, which fall under ‘gated communities’, and non-residential areas, to remain open 24×7 from January 27. Representatives of shopping malls, hotels and restaurants were also present at the meeting. Depending on the owners’ financial viability, they will have the discretion to keep their commercial establishments open 24×7, provided they fulfil some necessary conditions.