Residents oppose extension of deadline

Residents’ Welfare Associations have opposed extended timings for pubs and bars in Bengaluru. They have planned public interactions to oppose the 1 am closure deadline for establishments that serve alcohol.

Members of Rajajinagar RWA are to meet on Sunday. Its president, Suresh G, said the extension would lead to accidents and irresponsible behaviour. “We will decide the future course of action after hearing residents’ opinion,” said Suresh, who is a resident of Rajajinagar 2nd Block.

Residents of Indiranagar, which has more than 15 pubs and bars, also opposed the extension and are also planning an interaction. Defence Colony RWA president, Vikram Mulki, said, “We are not happy with extended timings for bars and pubs. Besides parking problems, there is a safety issue, particularly in residential areas.” A majority of bars and pubs in Indiranagar are located on 100 feet road and 80 feet road.

Meanwhile, Citizens’ Action Forum has filed a Right to Information (RTI) application with the BBMP, seeking such details as number of pubs and bars and other commercial establishments in all 198 wards of the city.

“Most of these establishments do not have the mandatory trade licence and are located in residential pockets without changing land use. Through the RTI, we intend to get the number of illegal establishments. The city’s infrastructure is not equipped to handle the 1 am deadline,” said D S Rajashekar, president of Citizens’ Action Forum.