City Police Commissioner, Raghavendra H. Auradkar on Thursday reiterated that extending the deadline for nightlife is impossible due to a lack of resources.
Replying to queries by representatives of various organisations and members of the public during a debate on “The 11 p.m. debate: Too early or too late?” organised by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), Mr. Auradkar said though he is not personally against the demand, he is answerable to every law and order situation in the city. There is the question of safety of women in particular and the lack of public transport at night, he said. The shortcomings in infrastructure, including lack of street lights, and increasing incidence of accidents and crime add to the woes. And, shortage of manpower in the department does not permit him to support the decision, he said.
Elaborating on the law and order situation in the city, Mr. Auradkar said that the police have to look after 2,000 junctions with just 600 personnel. Personnel work for up to 17 hours each day. Every officer is compelled to work from morning till 10.30 p.m. The department has 2,600 posts but only 700 personnel on duty to take care of the 1.2 crore population of the city.
“The government has sanctioned 2,000 Home Guards to the department, but I am able to get only 560 personnel,” he said.
Other participants told the heads of various civic agencies to provide street lights, extend public transport facility, and allow eateries, restaurants and coffee shops to remain open up to 1 a.m. They wanted conditions in which women can walk on the streets safely even late at night, an extended nightlife, tourism to be developed and an option for people who work late to have dinner outside before they go home.
