The restriction on all-nighters at Delhi bars and restaurants has been lifted. As part of an ambitious strategy to increase the city's nighttime economy, resto-bars in four- and five-star hotels in the country's capital will soon be open 24 hours a day, and clubs can also offer alcohol to their patrons until 1 a.m. The restaurants in three-star hotels can stay open until 2 a.m., while the others can stay open until 1 a.m.
Lt. Governor V K Saxena has approved a liberalised licencing system that will allow for extended hours of operation for bars and restaurants, as well as a simplified application process with less paperwork, to take effect on January 26.
The news has stoked Delhiites' excitement, and they are ready to party all night long. People flocked to social media to express their feelings over the news.
One user wrote, "At least start testing for drunken driving at all major intersections." Another user wrote, "The people who used to return drunk, won't be returning the same way, this is called social benefit." A third user wrote, "It is good now everyone can party without any limit and that's how it should be. Great move, appreaciate it. Such rules should be implemented in whole country so that people can access restuarants whenever they want to."
An official told PTI, "This is expected to be done in the next three weeks, and come January 26, entrepreneurs in the national capital will be able to avail of this new progressive, business-friendly and liberalised licensing regime in Delhi."
The number of documents required for getting licenses has been drastically reduced and 28 documents will no longer be required to be uploaded.
