Bangalore, May 22 (IANS) Stuck at work and want to catch the last film show or grab a bite after 11 p.m.? You can join the party that has restarted in Bangalore after the government eased the closing time deadline of eateries and cinema halls in the city.
The deadline for closure of eating places has now been set at midnight. In movie halls, the last show can now end at 11.30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. However, the existing deadline of 11 p.m. on bars and liquor shops will continue.
IT professional Prakrit Sharma told IANS: 'Nightlife of Bangalore will surely be rejuvenated after the latest announcement.'
Management graduate Anjana Sharma expressed joy at being allowed to enjoy life till midnight.
'By 9 p.m., Bangalore used to wear a deserted look. Now, it will become livelier. This weekend I am planning to catch a late night movie and enjoy my dinner outside with friends,' she said.
Homemaker Sujata Nair said that now she can enjoy long hours of shopping and eating out with her husband and two children.
'Now, we can relax and shop and have dinner outside, instead of quickly rushing back home from shopping to cook food at night. I am happy with the government's decision,' Sujata said.
In restaurants, the new timing came into effect Tuesday with state Home Minister V.S. Acharya announcing the relaxation.
There was a clampdown on Bangalore nightlife early last year in what has become notorious as the 'Cinderella law'. The state government restricted working hours of eateries till 11 p.m. Later, the authorities also banned the performance of live bands in eateries and restaurants serving liquor.
However, eateries in places like bus stations, railway station, airport and some central areas are already functioning late into the night with special permission from Bangalore Police.
Welcoming the relaxation, Bangalore Hotels Association president Vasudev Adiga told IANS: 'It will help hotels and restaurants do more business and serve their clientele.
'Bangalore is a popular tourist destination and the young crowd here love to enjoy good food. Moreover, several people work in the night shift. So, the announcement will help both foodies and hoteliers to start a symbiotic relationship.'
Echoing Adiga, a manager of a popular hotel chain here said: 'Bangalore is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Such restrictions put a curb on the growth of the city. It creates problems for both customers and hotel owners. We welcome the latest announcement.'
Along with reducing restriction on eateries, the government has also announced new timings for film shows, close on the heels of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce recommendations to the government to increase business prospects of the Kannada film industry.
According to the new time table, the morning shows will be screened at 11:15 a.m., matinee be at 2.30 p.m., the first evening show will be at 6.15 p.m. and the second show at 8.30 p.m. The new timetable came into force Friday.
Home Minister Acharya said: 'The government has agreed to change the timings of movie shows and the new time table would allow city theatres to screen movies till 11.30 p.m. It would be inconvenient for the people if the hotels close by 11 p.m. as they do not get food late in the night.
Hence, eateries, hotels and restaurants which serve only food have been allowed to function till 12 midnight.'
While some policemen are apprehensive that the latest move will encourage anti-social elements, Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said: 'We're ready to provide safety and security to the people.'
Leading fashion designer and choreographer Prasad Bidappa said: 'The government has taken the right decision. Stopping eateries and theatre halls from remaining open late at night will not stop crime in the city. Eateries and theatre halls are meant for relaxation of people. They are business hubs. Crime rate can be controlled by better policing.'
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