New Delhi: Shops, malls and eateries in Delhi’s non-residential areas could have the option of remaining open 24×7 if Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party come back to power.
According to party sources, AAP’s detailed manifesto for the 2020 assembly polls — expected to be released on 26 January — will include this promise.
For the past two weeks, AAP’s election committee has been weighing the pros and cons of this move to ensure it doesn’t lead to chaos in the national capital. Sources say to avoid this, the Kejriwal-led government is considering kickstarting a pilot project in certain areas to begin with, if it is re-elected.
Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray made a similar announcement Saturday, stating that beginning 26 January, malls and eateries in Mumbai will have the option to remain open round the clock. Giving examples of nightlife in London and, nearer home, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Thackeray said Mumbai should not lag behind in providing similar facilities to people at night.
A 24×7 functioning Delhi
Sources say senior members of the AAP government have been discussing how a metropolis should function 24×7, and being the national capital, Delhi should have such an option.
“However, we do intend to do have proper arrangements in place, so as to avoid an untoward incident,” a senior AAP leader told ThePrint on the condition of anonymity.
“We will make sure we have CCTV cameras and adequate checking late night, so that there are no complaints in that sense,” the leader added.
While the pilot project will kick off in non-residential areas, the AAP will consider executing the plan in specific residential colonies as well, based on feedback.
Select CityWalk mall in Saket, Santushti shopping complex in Chanakyapuri, Rohini shopping complex and Nehru Place are some of the options being considered for the pilot. However, markets in and around residential areas like in Greater Kailash 1 and Greater Kailash 2 will not be included initially.
Also read: What the Delhi school education model is and why Maharashtra is looking to emulate it
Economic impact
The thinking within the AAP is that not only will this move help Delhi function as a 24×7 metropolitan city, but will also give a boost to revenue and employment generation.
“This can also have a positive impact on the economy of the city and generate employment. It is expected to boost tourism, generate demand, revive industries, create jobs at malls and shopping complexes, which will have to allot shifts for personnel to cope with a 24×7 cycle if this takes shape,” said the party leader quoted above.
Another senior leader, who also did not wish to be identified, clarified there will be no “tinkering with excise norms to implement this plan”.
ThePrint approached AAP spokespersons through calls and messages for an official comment, including Jasmin Shah, senior leader and media in-charge for the election campaign; Ajoy Kumar, spokesperson and member of the manifesto committee; and senior leader Atishi, who heads the manifesto committee. However, none of them responded until the time of publishing this report.
Also read: BJP ‘struggling’ to find a candidate to take on Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi seat
It is good for Delhi and the country if AAP is votes back to power.
London, Tokyo, Paris, newyork,,,,,, Delhi will progress so much that mentioned cities will be far behind, if kejriwal is pm for next few years
The constraint is now more economic than legal. It is not as if the cash counters are ringing all through the day.