The coalition partners in Maharsatra – the BJP and Shiv Sena – might be bickering over several issues. But there is one point on which there seems to be a broader agreement which has brought cheers all around – to give Mumbai its nightlife back.
Believed to be pushed by Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray, the government in principal has agreed to establish certain designated pockets within the city as ‘nightlife zones.’ The locations which are in the forefront of being designated include Nariman Point and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The provision will entail bars, restaurants and other establishments operating on a 24×7 basis in the selected zones for the nightlife. The list of establishments allowed to operate round the clock may also include medical shops, milk bars and malls under the new provision.
The proposal to create dedicated nightlife zones was mooted by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) two years ago. However, it could not elicit a positive response from the erstwhile Congress-NCP government primarily because of law and order concerns. But the new chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured Aditya Thackarey that he will initiate necessary legislative changes to facilitate nightlife amenities for Mumbaikars in the next session of the state assembly. “I will take this plan forward keeping in mind the concerns faced by peace-loving people. We will amend relevant laws in such a fashion that they will not allow stakeholders to create disturbance for the passive class of people. We will take utmost care in making the system work in a manner which will be acceptable to all,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by a Mumbai daily after his meeting with Aditya.
