Police notice mandates closure at 02:00 hrs on three days, which is actually an extension of normal biz hours.Restaurateurs want a 24×7 license to manage the massive Kumbh crowd.
Nashik’s Association of Bars, Hotels, Restaurants (ABHAR) has expressed disappointment over a police circular, restricting timings of their business up to 02:00 hrs during the Shahi Parvani days (Aug 27-29). They want the police to issue a fresh circular, allowing them to keep their units round-the-clock to cater to the people’s requirements.
Nashik police on Wednesday issued a circular for extending functioning of working hours of hotels and eateries in the limits of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) from 23.30hrs to 02.00 hrs on August 27 to 29.
“The district administration has already announced a ‘no vehicle zone’ in the city on the Shahi Parvani days. How will the pilgrims reach hotels or restaurants if they have to park vehicles outside the city and will have to come on foot for some distance? Moreover, we will also have to pay overtime to our employees if they work for three more hours after the shifts end,” said Sanjay Chavan, president, ABHAR.
“We are upset with this new circular by the police administration as it is not of any use. Actually, the hotels and eateries should be allowed to open for 24 hours during the Kumbh Mela to facilitate the pilgrims and the tourists. Earlier, we had sought both district and police administrations for permitting functioning of the hotels and eateries. Hence, the district and police administration should consider its decision of extending the timings,” he said.
The Kumbh Mela in Nashik started with the official flag hoisting on July 14, while the first Shahi Snan (royal bath) will be held on Saturday (Aug 29). The second and third Shahi Snans are scheduled on September 13 and 18. Around one crore people are expected to visit to the city during the Kumbh Mela. As most of the people will be coming to the city for the first Shahi Snan at night, the police administration has allowed hotels, restaurants and eateries to open their businesses up to 02:00 hrs on August 27, 28 and 29.