Restaurateurs and traders praised the Lt Governor’s decision to allow restaurants in 5-star and 4-star hotels in Delhi to operate 24 hours a day, saying it will boost the city’s night economy.
However, a few restaurant owners have also urged the government to allow bars located outside of hotels to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena established a high-powered committee in November to ease and facilitate licence requirements for restaurants/eating establishments, and directed it to examine existing regulations and suggest ways to expedite the licensing processes.
It took several rounds of meetings after the committee’s report was submitted to finally concretise the liberalised regulations, according to officials. These will now be sent to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to bring about necessary chances in the new application undertaking and uploaded on the MHA licensing portal.
After paying the necessary fee, all restaurants/eating houses in Five and Four Star Hotels, as well as those within airport, railway station, and ISBT premises, will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week under the new rules.
They will be permitted to operate until 2 a.m. in 3-star hotels and until 1 a.m. in all other categories.
Manpreet Singh, treasurer of the National Restaurants Association of India, called it good news that will boost the night economy.
“We are pleased that such a step has been announced by LG, but we hope that it will also be announced in regular hotels,” Singh said.
According to Singh, the move will help to increase business and promote the night economy.
Vinod Girl, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), praised the move, calling it the first step toward the industry’s revival.
This is a promising development and welcome news. It will help to boost the night economy and boost business. It will also boost stakeholder confidence, according to Giri.
He claimed that the measure should be implemented in other bars and restaurants as well.
