Maharashtra Tourism Department Corporation (MTDC) has brought a proposal before the state government to convert commercial areas of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai harbour region and Mahalaxmi near Central Mumbai into entertainment zones.
Hopes for a vibrant nightlife in Mumbai have gotten a boost, because the state tourism department is keen on opening special zones in the city for round-the-clock entertainment.
Maharashtra Tourism Department Corporation (MTDC) has brought a proposal before the state government to convert commercial areas of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai harbour region and Mahalaxmi near Central Mumbai into entertainment zones.
"To start with, we are seeking state's permission to develop entertainment zones in these three areas. The chosen areas are commercial areas with minimal residents around," said Paraag Jaiin Nainutiia, MD, MTDC.
The development comes in the wake of reports about the state government planning to shelve the plan to develop a 24x7 culture in Mumbai, because the state's home secretary feels that doing so would place an additional burden on the already thin police machinery which will be required to man the area.
The idea had last heated up a few months ago, when Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray had supported it. Thackeray got support from city police chief Rakesh Maria, who said that the police force is well-equipped to handle any law and order situation. While the young leader had made it clear that 24x7 bars and pubs should be allowed to come up only at a few locations, BJP leaders, including city unit president Ashish Shelar, had opposed it, citing the potential nuisance to other sections of society.
But citizen groups claim that nightlife makes a place safer. "In fact, shops in Delhi are shut at around 8 pm. By 10 pm, the streets are completely deserted. It is due to these kinds of deserted streets that people are attacked or women harassed," lyricist Javed Akhtar had stated earlier.
According to an estimate by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), there are about 12,000 food-serving restaurants and 2,000 pubs and bars in the city.
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