Midnight shopping

Mumbai’s nightlife will hopefully come to life after the Maharashtra government last week passed a bill allowing for night markets across the state. A similar proposal had been pending with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as the two main political parties — Shiv Sena and BJP — were at loggerheads over the proposition.

With the passage of the bill, the BMC administration has decided to work on it. According to official from the Licence department of BMC, the Town Vending Committee (TVC) will now have to work on it. “The TVC will work on the recommendation of the bill and accordingly prepare details of the execution,” the official said.

In 2013, BJP MLA and corporator Ameet Satam had come up with the idea of starting night markets along the lines of Bangkok and Singapore. As per the proposal, eateries, cafes, malls, theatres, chemist and milk shops, could remain open all night in non-residential zones (like Ballard Estate and BKC), while clearances from residents and police would be necessary in residential areas.

However, Yuva Sena chief, Aaditya Thackeray, had supported the concept of rooftop restaurants, while making a strong pitch for opening up Mumbai’s nightlife by allowing commercial establishments to work round-the-clock.

After the legislature approved the bill, Aaditya tweeted: “This is a vindication of my stand allowing the hard working citizens some chilling time isn’t immoral or illegal. We must support them.”