New 24/7 Shop Rules and the Shift They Could Trigger in Vidarbha

thenewsdirt
Nov 25
7 min read

In Vidarbha, a region spanning eastern Maharashtra, shopkeepers and consumers are reacting to a recent policy change.

Under a state government circular dated October 1, 2025, most shops, malls, restaurants, cinemas and other commercial establishments in Maharashtra may now stay open 24 hours a day.

The only businesses excluded are liquor outlets, such as wine shops, beer bars, hookah parlours and permit rooms.

This decision formally enforces the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017, which already allowed round-the-clock work if each employee received a 24-hour weekly rest period. Officials say the circular clarifies previous confusion, and local authorities and police are instructed not to stop any business from running overnight.

Round-the-Clock Commerce and Economic Boost

Local industry groups in Vidarbha see extended hours as an economic opportunity. With shops and restaurants able to serve customers at any hour, many traders expect more sales and new jobs.

The Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce welcomed the change, noting that 24/7 operations give freedom to run the businesses as per their convenience and let consumers buy essentials like medicine around the clock.

The chamber’s president predicted that more jobs would be created statewide once shops could open day and night.

Industry leaders also hailed the move as a growth stimulus. The Vidarbha Taxpayers’ Association called it a landmark decision that will boost the region’s economy by catering to diverse customer needs and generating employment. One trade association head pointed out that Nagpur already attracts international firms to set up offices, and a lack of nightlife was often cited as a drawback.

Enabling late-night business is expected to make cities like Nagpur more attractive to professionals and investors. For example, some hotel owners noted that being able to serve guests or locals late into the night should improve hospitality revenues. Other retailers agreed that even if a store only needs minimal staff to stay open at night, the extra operating hours can boost total sales and government tax receipts.

Young residents in Nagpur, Vidarbha’s largest city, had long called for a more active nightlife. In June 2025, local students argued that extending curfew and shop closing times could give a significant boost to the city’s economy by creating jobs and supporting small vendors.

They pictured a future with late-night cafes, tea stalls and food trucks enlivening the streets. One local market leader echoed this sentiment, saying many families already stay out at night, especially during festivals, and businesses only close around midnight. By contrast, 24 by 7 rules would let people work longer hours, businesses can earn more, and the government too will benefit through higher sales and taxes.

In retail districts like Nagpur’s Sitabuldi area, storefronts could soon light up all night as shoppers browse and buy at any hour while businesses plan new promotions or restock during traditionally off-limit times.

Legal experts note that this flexibility applies across the board from supermarkets and gyms to multiplexes and eateries.

As one legal analysis explained, the official notification permits 24 by 7 operations for most establishments on condition that weekly rest requirements are met, and it explicitly maintains that alcohol-serving venues remain on restricted hours.

Local Reactions: Optimism and Reservations

Vidarbha’s traders and entrepreneurs have largely greeted the news with optimism but also caution.

In Nagpur, many retailers noted that existing infrastructure, like roads and lighting, already supports some late-night activity.

A local merchant remarked that with modest staffing, his daytime shop could keep serving overnight. Others agreed that as long as extra hours bring more revenue, shops would adapt their hours to suit demand. One trader summed up the mood that if opening at night means more customers and sales, merchants will be happy to adjust.

Business groups also emphasised that the change is voluntary and shops and hotels need not run 24 by 7 if it is not profitable or practical. A leader of the residential hotels association pointed out that operators can decide whether to use the new freedom. Still, many urged authorities to publicise the rule widely so that consumers know their options.

Meanwhile, officials in Vidarbha’s cities said they would work with police to support businesses taking advantage of the policy. In Nagpur, for example, trade bodies urged law enforcement to adopt a positive approach in implementing the new rules, noting that a supportive regulatory environment would help curb brain drain and build a modern city image.

On the consumer side, many shoppers in Vidarbha now look forward to more convenience. Parents who work late can buy groceries and medicines at night. Young people see opportunities for nightlife and entertainment growth. One student noted that having legitimate late-night cafes and study lounges could keep crowds in safe zones instead of unsupervised spots. Families familiar with Mumbai or Pune-style night shopping welcome the prospect of 24 by 7 stores.

However, some local residents voiced concerns about noise, traffic or safety if late-night crowds grow significantly.

City planners and police in Vidarbha cities are discussing such issues. Authorities say they will extend street lighting and patrolling in busy zones. So far, no major public safety incidents have been linked to recent late-night market events, but neighbourhood groups are watching closely.

Workforce and Operational Effects

Experts stress that the law change comes with obligations for employers. Every shop owner must still respect labour rules by giving each employee one full day off each week. This means stores must design rotating shifts or staggered holidays.

Small businesses will have to update schedules and possibly hire extra part-time staff to cover new hours.

Human resources consultants say some shopkeepers may face higher wage bills if they pay night-shift allowances or overtime. At the same time, employees could benefit from extra work opportunities, and those seeking extra income might find jobs as late-night cashiers, cooks or security personnel.

Local unions and worker groups are monitoring the situation. They note that the law explicitly guarantees worker rest under the 2017 Act, so employers cannot exploit the 24 by 7 permission to overwork staff. One labour expert highlighted that the policy provides much-needed clarity on employee rights. Shops must keep records of shifts and rest days to prove compliance. There have not yet been reports of disputes or fines in Vidarbha shops over this issue.

Still, labour inspectors have been reminded to enforce weekly holiday rules as strictly as business timings. In some cases, police stations have already begun making verbal visits at night to ensure shops have permission letters on display.

Businesses also face practical considerations. Not all shops will use the 24 by 7 license. A stall that sells seasonal goods or a small family store may still close early if customer traffic is low overnight. On the other hand, larger outlets in shopping centres or along busy roads might stay open in shifts. Some chains say they will evaluate sales data before deciding which branches to keep open around the clock.

Analysts note that because 24 by 7 operation is optional, the actual expansion of hours may be gradual.

A quoted expert in Nagpur remarked that 24 by 7 does not mean literally without pause, and businesses are expected to find a natural downtime window, such as early mornings for cleaning and restocking.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite the regulatory change, Vidarbha traders report mixed experiences on the ground. Several Nagpur shopkeepers say the new policy is only on paper so far.

Even two weeks after the announcement, they claim police and municipal officials are still enforcing old shop closing times.

One frustrated retailer complained that the government said shops could remain open 24 by 7 but police still forced them to close at the usual time. Such enforcement confusion has already caused financial losses and frustration for businesses planning late-night sales.

Police in Vidarbha’s cities have responded that they have not yet received formal written orders. Without official written instructions, law enforcement says it is obliged to follow existing curfew or licensing rules. This administrative lag is prompting traders to seek clarification. Nagpur’s merchants have formally requested a clear written directive to be issued so that all agencies act in unison. Meanwhile, some local officials are calling short meetings to explain the circular to station chiefs.

Other practical challenges also arise. Increased hours mean higher demand for electricity and public transport at night. Vidarbha’s power utilities are monitoring nighttime loads but expect the effect to be manageable since not all shops will open. Public buses and autos may slightly extend their schedules in busy districts. On the municipal side, sanitation workers may adjust their rounds if late-night crowds grow. So far, trash at midnight markets is picked up by separate night teams, and city engineers say they are ready to scale that up if needed.

In addition, some fear that competition may intensify.

For example, a 24 hour mall or cafe might draw away customers from smaller neighbourhood shops. Owners of small kirana stores wonder if they can afford to keep a clerk on duty all night. Consumer convenience, however, seems to outweigh this concern for many, and shoppers appreciate not having to wait until morning for a purchase. Both major retailers and mom-and-pop sellers may simply find their own niche hours.

As Vidarbha moves forward, all eyes are on how quickly the new rules translate into reality. Trade groups have set up hotlines to report any harassment of overnight businesses. Police and municipal leaders say they will regularly review the policy’s impact.

Meanwhile, businesses themselves are making plans. One hotel chain in Nagpur announced that it would test a 24-hour coffee shop, while a grocery chain said it might pilot all night service at a few outlets.

Maharashtra’s policy shift allowing round-the-clock shop operation marks a significant change for Vidarbha’s cities and towns. Many local businesses and citizens see clear advantages in extra sales, more jobs and greater convenience.

That said, the true effects will play out over time. The coming months will reveal whether the extended hours transform shopping habits and city life in the region. For now, merchants in Vidarbha are cautiously optimistic but insist on clarity from authorities. With the groundwork still being laid, the region is bracing for a gradual adaptation to life with truly 24 by 7 commerce.