‘City That Never Sleeps’: Hyderabad’s night economy gets a bold policy push

Hyderabad: Hyderabad is preparing to usher in a transformative chapter in urban governance with the proposed rollout of a full-fledged night-time economy (NTE) framework—one that not only stretches the city’s productivity beyond daylight hours but also aims to redefine it as India’s first truly 24x7 economic powerhouse.At the core of this shift is the appointment of a night mayor, the creation of a night-time economy authority (NTEA), and a NTE digital registry, all working together to streamline governance, ensure safety, and remove bureaucratic hurdles. Officials cite Amsterdam’s night mayor model, which led to a 20% surge in night-time economic activity while reducing friction with residential communities. Hyderabad’s version will be tailored to local governance but aims to replicate similar success, a senior official explained.

According to policy highlights available with TOI, the state govt is actively considering the creation of designated NTE zones, where a broad spectrum of establishments—from tech companies and hospitals to retail shops and food courts—can operate during extended hours without having to apply for individual night permits. These zones will be regulated by the NTEA and supported by the digital registry, which will serve as a monitoring and coordination tool (but not a licensing body), sources said.

New zoning, new visionUnder the ‘open zone’ policy, businesses located within designated night economy zones would be exempt from seeking separate night-time permits. Key areas like Hi-Tec City, Madhapur, and Financial District, with their high density of IT and commercial establishments, are being considered for 24x7 commercial zone classification.Retail zones, including Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Madhapur, and major shopping malls, are recommended to operate until 2.30 am, while iconic public spaces such as Charminar, Necklace Road, Tank Bund, and KBR Park are envisioned as tourism and recreation zones, open until 1.30 am.Holistic urban shiftWhile night-time activity often conjures images of entertainment, the proposed policy goes much further. It covers sectors like healthcare, logistics, transport, IT services, retail, and tourism, reflecting a broader shift in urban economics, sources said.The NTE digital registry will enhance zone-level coordination, provide real-time insights, and support transparency and safety—without assuming licensing authority.

The NTEA will oversee implementation, with a focus on digital governance, cross-agency collaboration, and branding Hyderabad as “The City That Never Sleeps,” officials explained.Despite the potential, several regulatory and infrastructure-related challenges remain. Urban experts highlight the need to update labour laws, taxation systems, and licensing mechanisms to support night-shift operations. There are also pressing concerns around safety, noise control, carbon footprint, and coordination between departments like GHMC, labour, and excise.Enhanced policing, AI-based surveillance, public transport at night, and sustainable urban planning will be crucial to balance economic growth with livability, an urban expert explained.2023 attemptIn April 2023, the state govt had issued a GO permitting round-the-clock operation for shops, offices, and establishments in Hyderabad. While the policy was welcomed, especially by the hospitality, tech, and retail sectors, implementation ran into serious hurdles.Under the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, any business operating beyond standard hours must still obtain prior approvals. Although the 2023 order offered a broad exemption, a mandatory police NoC remained in place—especially for operations beyond 10 pm. This lack of interdepartmental coordination proved to be a bottleneck. The Hyderabad city police denied NoCs to many establishments, citing concerns over night-time enforcement capacity, noise, public order, and the absence of synchronised planning between departments.