Vijayawada: Soon the citizens of Vijayawada can enjoy their favourite food even at the late hours of a day as the city police department is going to permit hotels, restaurants and other eateries to function up to midnight. So far hotels and other establishments are only allowed to run till 10.30 pm or 11.00 pm at the most. It may be mentioned that last year the then commissioner of police had permitted hoteliers to run eateries round-the-clock provided with safe and secure ambiance. However, that did not attract many hoteliers. On Monday, in a meeting, members of Vijayawada Hoteliers Association appealed to commissioner of police D. Gautam Sawang to permit 24 hours operation of their establishments to provide food for the visitors and citizens of Vijayawada.
Responding positively to the proposal, Mr Sawang asked the hoteliers to take up security measures at large. “We welcome the 24 hours proposal in view of increasing number of visitors to city which is anchoring the capital region now. However, there are certain steps to be taken thoroughly to make it possible. As a first step from our side, we would extend the closing time to 12 am and the next step would be responsible managing of the hoteliers,” Mr Gautam Sawang told this correspondent later.
He said that a police committee headed by a deputy commissioner of police with ACPs as members would be formed to identify issues, safety concerns and sort them out by consulting hoteliers. “The hoteliers can consult the committee regarding any issues. We are also looking into making the existing mobile application workable in near future. CC cameras can’t prevent incidents but only provide evidence when needed,” Mr Sawang said.
Hoteliers led by Ilapuram Raja, president of the association, told the CP that working men and women find themselves free only after 9 pm. He said extending time would help people as well as hoteliers as most of the long distance trains to city come after 10 pm.
