Shopping On India's Independence Day: What's Open?

On India's Independence Day, most shops and establishments in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad will be closed for the first half of the day. Banks, financial institutions, and the stock market will also be closed. Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will remain shut. Liquor shops will be closed as well, as August 15 is a dry day. Essential services, public transport, malls, and restaurants will remain open, but alcohol will not be served.

Malls and restaurants will remain open

While most shops and establishments will be closed during the first half of the day, malls and restaurants are expected to cater to customers and continue their operations. This is especially true for essential services and emergency services, which will remain fully functional.

The restaurants will offer a wide range of culinary delights, including traditional Indian dishes and special menus to commemorate the occasion. Some eateries will even have dishes dressed in the colours of the Indian flag, saffron, white, and green, to showcase their patriotic spirit.

It is worth noting that Independence Day is a national holiday, and as such, financial institutions, banks, government offices, educational institutions, and liquor shops will be closed. However, malls and restaurants are expected to be bustling with activity, providing Indians with a unique opportunity to celebrate their country's diversity and indulge in a variety of culinary experiences.

Most shops will be closed

In addition, August 15 is a dry day, meaning that liquor shops and establishments serving alcohol will be shut. Government offices, monuments, and other public institutions will also remain closed.

However, essential services will continue to operate, including emergency services such as police stations, hospitals, healthcare facilities, and the fire department. Public transport will run as scheduled, but some routes may be altered during the early hours. Malls, shopping complexes, and restaurants will remain open, but liquor service will not be permitted.

It is important to note that some variations may exist between different cities and states in India regarding the closure of shops and businesses on Independence Day.

Liquor shops will be closed

In 2023, the Delhi government declared a ban on the sale of liquor on Independence Day, with the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, approving the proposal. This ban extended to the National Capital Regions of Noida and Gurugram.

The same ban was also approved for 2024, with Kejriwal giving the go-ahead for a prohibition on the sale of liquor on August 15, 2024. This ban will be in effect for the first half of the day.

While the sale of alcohol is banned, the service of liquor to residents in hotels, hotel bars, restaurants, and bars, as well as at special events permitted by the department, is allowed.

Public transport will run as scheduled

India's Independence Day is a public holiday, and a time for celebration. As such, many businesses and services will be closed, but public transport will run as scheduled.

Public transport is the primary mode of travel for most Indian citizens, and India's transport systems are among the most heavily used in the world. India's road network is the second largest, and one of the busiest globally. Its rail network is the fourth largest and second busiest in the world.

On Independence Day, public transport will be running as usual, but there will be some alterations to routes during the early hours of the day. This is due to the celebrations and increased security measures in place, especially in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

It is important to note that some roads will be closed, and traffic will be affected by the Independence Day festivities. Flag-raising ceremonies, parades, and cultural events will also cause some disruption to the normal flow of traffic, particularly in large cities and state capitals.

While public transport will be available, those travelling are advised to plan their journeys in advance and be aware of the potential for delays.

Educational institutions will be closed

The day is a national holiday, and the country will celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024. Educational institutions will be shut during the morning of the celebrations, as the national flag is hoisted at Old Delhi's Red Fort, followed by an address to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A parade will also be carried out by security and defence personnel at the Red Fort.

Security has been tightened across India, with over 10,000 police officers deployed in Delhi alone. Facial recognition technology and snipers will be used at crucial security points, and checkpoints have been set up throughout central Delhi. Vehicle checks will be in place, and several routes across Delhi have been closed for the morning.

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