Mumbai nightlife plan: Eateries at beaches may not get all night pass

You might get to catch a movie or shop at midnight under the state's nightlife reforms, but grabbing a late night bite at eateries located on the beach would still be a tall order, as BMC wants the current timings for such establishments to stay, instead of allowing them to be open 24x7.

BMC and cops to decide
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai police are likely to decide on what happens to the eateries that are spread across the city's coastal line. However, Shiv Sena sources said that keeping eateries inside the beaches open will attract security concerns and thus, should not be allowed 24x7.

A senior civic officer said, "We are awaiting the notification from the state government. If we are allowed to decide the time limit for eateries at beaches, we would continue with the current timing." Currently, the eateries are open till 11.30 pm or midnight.

As for talking a walk inside civic gardens or beaches late at night, citizens will have to wait till the law is implemented, as public entry is still restricted during night time at those places.

Sena takes credit
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena leaders are now taking all the credit for the reforms, as it was their party that had been pushing for them over the past four years. Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeted on Friday evening, "This enabling act is not only a great win for me, but all the citizens of Mumbai. Only those who didn't trust Mumbaikars criticised it." Amey Ghole, Yuva Sena treasurer and Shiv Sena corporator, said, "Our party has been following up on this proposal continuously with the state authorities. The city needs a good night life and nobody should go hungry."