Pune News: Residents demand action against late-night eateries at Nal stop

The people who live in Pune’s Kothrud neighbourhood are calling for stricter enforcement of the laws governing late-night restaurants in the Nal Stop area. The once-calm area has turned into an area of disorderly conduct and noise.

Previously a single late-night food stand serving a few customers, Nal Stop has seen an increase in unlicensed restaurants drawing sizable crowds, primarily college students. It is said that these groups of people park their bikes carelessly, which jams up the roads at night.

The Nalstop area in Korhrud has now turned into a hotspot for drunken hooligans. While the Pune City Police Commissioner has ordered the eateries till 1:30 AM the eateries at Nulstop operate till 3:00 AM causing inconvenience to the residents. @PuneCityPolice @CPPuneCity pic.twitter.com/Y8n0wz3pjA

— saheer shaikh (@sahirshaikh777) May 4, 2024

There were reports of a physical dispute among some students on May 4 at 2:30 a.m., which caused panic in the area. Locals have expressed dissatisfaction with the Pune City Police’s response, accusing them of doing little to control the situation.

Amitesh Kumar, Pune Police Commissioner, had earlier issued a warning asking late-night businesses to close by 1:30 a.m. Restaurants in Nal Stop, however, are said to disregard this order, staying open until three in the morning without any police presence.

Speaking anonymously, a Kothrud resident claimed, “Nal Stop has become a nuisance for Kothrud and Deccan residents. There, large crowds of mostly drunken -college students gather to quench their late-night cravings. There are reports of fights nearly every other day. The police don’t seem to be doing anything about it.” 

“The Nal Stop area has turned into a hotspot for troublemakers,” stated another local. “Late at night, loud noises are made by young college students with motorbike silencers that have been modified, disregarding the residents’ attempts to sleep. The residents now find the late-night restaurants to be a hassle. The stall owners must face severe consequences from the police.”

Bhimrao Tele, Assistant Commissioner of Police, clarified that they have already given the restaurants notice to close early, violators will face harsh consequences and they will make sure law and order are upheld in the neighbourhood by stepping up patrols in the Nal Stop area.