Seventeen-year-old Abhinav (name changed), who completed his Class XII Board exams earlier this month, was looking forward to ‘chilling’ with his friends.
But days before he could actually do so, the Supreme Court banned the sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and State highways.
“We bought some liquor, parked our car under a tree and enjoyed a few drinks right there. The only thing is that I then drove under the influence of alcohol, which I think is what the Supreme Court was looking to address,” said Abhinav.
But those missing their favourite hangout zones now have reason to cheer as the Excise and Taxation Department (Haryana) cleared 30 bars and hotels here, including 15 bars in Sector 29, on Monday. “I wish this would have happened a few weeks earlier. I could have simply picked a restaurant in Sector 29 and taken a cab back home instead of driving under the influence of alcohol. I would have preferred Cyberhub any day though,” said Kartik, who was overjoyed to hear the news.
Staff let go
The news has come as a breather for restaurants in Sector 29, which had to let go of staff and suffer huge financial losses. “We had no option but to ask as many as 300 people to leave. If I am not wrong, around 2,000 people were sacked in Sector 29 alone,” said Ashwini Chaudhary, director with the Soi7 group that runs two restaurants here.
DLF Cyberhub, meanwhile, is still not out of the ambit of the SC order.
“From around 2,000 people a week, we now see a footfall of only around 150. We have brought in discounts and combo offers, but they don’t seem to be helping,” said Lalit, restaurant manager at Imperfecto, Cyberhub.
Asked about plans for the future, Mr. Lalit said, “We are not going for a staff cut. Instead, we are planning new restaurants in Delhi and Gurugram that do not fall under the ambit of the SC rule.”
But in the three weeks that Gurugram saw a lockdown on sale of liquor, how did the Millennium City unwind?
The Hindu asked people if the malls on MG Road (Sahara and Lifestyle, among others), which initially drew the crowd towards the Millennium City, could possibly pick up business again.
Visitors’safety
According to Isra Mahmood, a Gurugram resident who works with J. Walter Thompson (India), the malls on M.G. Road and Golf Course Road could potentially replace Cyberhub, Sector 29 and Ambience Mall.
But Ms. Mahmood had her concerns. “These malls can be revived, but they will need to be restructured to ensure the safety of visitors.” Raghav Soni, another Gurugram resident who also works here, seconded her. “Yes, these malls were favourite hangouts a few years ago. But now they lack the potential to attract the clientele Cyberhub and Sector 29 cater to.”
He added that instead, the situation might give the Galleria market a second chance. For Shailendra Shukla, a musician, restaurants based in Sector 43 and 44 (Golf Course Road) and the Galleria market turned out to be good replacements.
“Of course, there is always Hauz Khas Village and other places in south Delhi for the party-minded,” said Mr. Shukla. Others, meanwhile, chose to stay at home, save some money and beat the heat in the process. “I finally had some parties at home. Also, it is a cheaper option,” said Kartik Singh, a 32-year-old resident of the Millennium City.”
