Mumbai: Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) (HRAWI) has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking permission for permit rooms and bars in licensed hotels and restaurants across the state to remain open until 3.30am on Monday for the live telecast of the match.The request comes amid growing enquiries from customers wanting to watch the match at hotels and restaurants. The sporting event, is expected to attract football enthusiasts, domestic tourists and international visitors. If approved, the relaxation would be a one-time exemption from existing operating hour restrictions and would apply only to licensed hospitality establishments.A senior govt official said as of now, there was no permission from the authorities. According to sources, the govt may give an eleventh hour relief after assessing the safety and security aspects on the ground.HRAWI president Jimmy Shaw said, “The FIFA World Cup Final is a truly global sporting spectacle that brings people together across cultures and borders. Allowing a one-time extension of operating hours for licensed hotel and restaurant bars will enable patrons to enjoy the match in a safe, regulated and professionally managed environment while also supporting tourism and the hospitality sector,” said Shaw.The association has pointed out that Karnataka and Assam have granted similar one-time relaxations for licensed hospitality establishments during previous FIFA World Cup finals while maintaining public safety, law and order, excise compliance and licensing conditions. It has also submitted similar representations to the governments of Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.HRAWI spokesperson Pradeep Shetty said existing restrictions prevent licensed hotel bars from serving guests for the entire duration of late-night global sporting events, even as several other categories of businesses are permitted to operate round the clock.The association has assured the state government that participating establishments would comply with all licensing conditions, excise rules, police directives, public safety measures, crowd management protocols and noise control norms if the request is approved.
