'A city should not close early'

So is it happening at last? The tourism department is going to put up a note to the cabinet asking that the deadline for pubs be extended to 1.30 am, and eateries be extended to 2 am. Speaking from Dubai, tourism secretary IM Vittala Murthy responded to questions BT asked about the much-talked about issue:
Why have you asked that the deadlines be extended?
If they are extended, the city will get branded as an active city, a city which is open.Bangalore's ambience will change when eating places and restaurants are open longer at night. When people land here at night, they have to look for a place to eat in. Bangalore's international airport will be open in May 2008, many international tourists will visit Bangalore. With extended deadlines, people will feel good about coming here. Similarly, when you go abroad and see a city that has a nightlife, and it is safe, and people are walking about, it's a nice feeling.When a city closes early, it's not a nice feeling. Why call Bangalore an international city or Silicon City or a happening city then? Don't make any such claims, call it a sleeping city, maybe like Mysore or Nanjangud.
Have you received any feedback from people about the early closing times?
My passion has been Karnataka tourism whether I have been tourism secretary or not. While travelling, there's been a lot of interaction with others who have shared that there's a need for an extended deadline. There are a lot of youngsters in the city — you talk to any of them and they will tell you that. This demand has been on for the last so many years. Besides, Bangalore has a very good climate, suitable for a longer nightlife.
But the police say they need much more manpower if the deadline is extended.
Bangalore's growing seamlessly, we can get more police personnel. Even now many pubs and restaurants are clandestinely open. It's not fair. Also, a late deadline is not a new thing. Cities like Pune are open till 1.30 am. And, it's not as if people will sit through the night eating and drinking when the deadline's extended.
Do you have any special plans for tourism if the deadline is extended?
No, but stakeholders in the industry must also benefit from this. I'm not saying that only extending the deadline will boost tourism. It's just one component — we must also provide better infrastructure, give more information about Karnataka to incoming tourists.
geetrao@indiatimes.com