No orders after 11 pm; shut down by midnight: Hyd police chief to pub, bar owners

Hyderabad: In the wake of the drug raid at Pudding & Mink Pub last month, Hyderabad City police commissioner C.V Anand held a meeting with owners of pubs, bars, restaurants, and drive-ins on Friday. He appealed to them to close their establishments by 12 a.m and not take orders after 11 p.m.

The meeting comes following frequent complaints by the public regarding sound pollution, parking congestion, misbehaviour by drunk people coming out of bars and pubs, and reports of drug use.

The CP briefly shared internal reports and complaints received from the public on various pubs and bars in the city. He told them that due to the efforts of the state government, Hyderabad city has become an investors' favourite. "So, we expect you to run your business in a responsible manner and uphold the reputation of the city and state which is getting compromised by just a few of you who want to violate the norms for petty gains. Please reduce inconvenience to the residents," he appealed to them.

Through a PowerPoint presentation, the police commissioner kept all the attendees informed about the prevailing norms laid down in the city police Act and apprised them to conduct their businesses within the framework of the Act.

They were also instructed not to allow underage people and to restrict the sound levels. The attendees were also asked to install CCTV cameras with 30-days backup along with a dedicated team to monitor the CCTVs. They were also instructed to sound-proof their premises, engage valet drivers, and frisk staff and customers. The city police will take stringent action on erring managements who resort to illegal activities, Mr. Anand said.

He stressed that orders received after 11 p.m shouldn't be accepted and establishments should be closed by 12 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, an extra one-hour exception is allowed with half an hour grace period to clean up and settle the accounts. The customers can be politely notified by dimming the lights 10 minutes before closing time, he said.

Mr. Anand further said that the spirit of according permission to star-rated hotels (four-star and above) to serve liquor 24 hours is in view of its international travellers and delegates, but not for the general public. "Adhering to the priority laid down on ease of doing business by the state government, we will soon facilitate an option online on our website through which you can apply for renewals and other licenses and there shall be minimum interaction and no harassment by the police," he assured the attendees.

He added, "Let Hyderabad be known as the safest city in the world and not as a place where drugs are also easily available. Let us work together."