24×7 Cities
Centre for Liberty’s 24×7 Cities campaign aims to make Indian cities safer, more open, and economically vibrant after dark by enabling a thriving night-time economy and reliable 24-hour services. As part of this work, CFL submitted Midnight Metropolis: Transforming Hyderabad into a 24/7 Economy to the Government of Telangana; the proposal was accepted and incorporated into the state’s 2047 Vision document.
Campaign Overview
Indian cities shut down early—not because people don’t want to work, travel, eat, or build after dark, but because policy and institutions often treat night-time activity as a problem rather than an opportunity. 24×7 Cities is a reform agenda to normalize lawful night-time activity through simple rules, predictable enforcement, and better urban services.
Key document: Midnight Metropolis: Transforming Hyderabad into a 24/7 Economy — a Hyderabad roadmap for enabling a safe, inclusive night-time economy, backed by global case studies, local fieldwork, and an implementation plan. (Attach the PDF in “Campaign File Attachments”.)
Why 24×7 cities matter
- More jobs and opportunity: a night-time economy expands employment in services, retail, hospitality, logistics, and transport.
- Better mobility and productivity: staggered activity reduces peak-hour pressure and improves how people use time in congested cities.
- Safer streets through better design and governance: well-lit, active areas and reliable late-night mobility improve safety and accountability.
- More consumer choice: citizens should be free to work, travel, and access services beyond limited “office hours.”
What we are proposing
Making cities truly 24×7 is not one policy. It’s a bundle of reforms that make it easy to operate legally, move safely, and deliver services reliably. Our approach focuses on clear rules, simple compliance, and strong public accountability—so night-time activity is normal, not exceptional.
1) Deregulate operating hours
Remove blanket restrictions on business hours and simplify licensing for late-night operations.
2) Make night mobility reliable
Enable safe, predictable late-night transport—public and private—so workers and consumers can move freely.
3) Improve safety through governance
Focus on enforcement against violence and intimidation, and ensure predictable policing and rapid response.
4) Enable 24-hour services
Encourage always-on basics—lighting, sanitation, emergency response—and frameworks for high-demand services to operate at night.
Milestones
Milestone
Hyderabad
- Centre for Liberty submitted Midnight Metropolis: Transforming Hyderabad into a 24/7 Economy to the Government of Telangana as a practical roadmap for 24×7 Hyderabad.
- The proposal was accepted and incorporated into the state’s 2047 Vision document.
Tip: attach the report PDF and a screenshot/PDF excerpt of the 2047 Vision reference so visitors can verify the milestone.
What’s next
- Work with city and state institutions to convert vision into an implementable plan (rules, timelines, accountability).
- Publish practical checklists for “24×7 readiness” (mobility, policing, licensing, lighting, services).
- Replicate the model across other Indian cities through policy templates and local partnerships.
Key documents
- Midnight Metropolis: Transforming Hyderabad into a 24/7 Economy (PDF)
- Telangana 2047 Vision — excerpt/reference to the 24×7 Hyderabad proposal (PDF or screenshot)
- Cover letter / submission note to the Government of Telangana (PDF) (optional)
Contact
For collaboration, data, or interviews: press@centreforliberty.org
