With license restrictions relaxed, high-end hotels will now be able to keep their restaurants and bars open 24 hours a day. This is being seen by the authorities as a New Year's gift to the hospitality sector. Restaurants and bars are permitted to be open 24 hours a day in four- and five-star hotels. They are available 24 hours a day at the ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminus), the airport, and the railway stations. The restaurants in three-star hotels can stay open until two in the morning, while the others can stay up until one. The changes were made in response to a panel's report that Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena created in November in an effort to relax restaurant license criteria. According to officials, applicants should be able to take use of the new licensing system starting on January 26.

Key Points

• With license restrictions relaxed, high-end hotels will now be able to keep their restaurants and bars open 24 hours a day.

• According to officials, applicants should be able to take use of the new licensing system starting on January 26.