Red tape may play spoilsport at new year's eve parties
new year is unlikely to start with a bang in the national capital as most restaurants, pubs, and bars plan to keep things low key on the new year's eve due to various restrictions.
“Most restaurants, pubs and bars in Delhi…are not planning any large-scale celebrations…because of the various administrative hassles in procuring multiple permissions and licenses,” said Sandeep Anand Goyle, who heads Delhi chapter of National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI).
“Pubs, bars and nightclubs are allowed to operate till 1 am, but they are also sealed at times if decibels are beyond the prescribed limits,” he said.
“With all the hassles, people don’t want to plan large-scale celebrations,” Goyle said, adding that the police seal crowd-generating areas and malls, and refrain restaurants from organising parties at their outlets. “Barricades are put on roads leading to markets, commercial complexes, and around the malls, creating hurdles for guests to reach them,” he said.
“There are too many restrictions. The moment you do a ticketing show, then too many permits are required.”
Priyank Sukhija, chief executive of First Fiddle Restaurants that operates chains such as Lord of the Drinks, Miso Sexy, Diablo, Tamasha and The Flying Saucer Café, said he is not getting any special artists or performers and it will be a regular weekend night on December 31.
“To organise something big in Delhi implies getting attention from different departments,” he said.
