Ghiyasuddin runs a busy roadside eatery in Hyderabad that stays open till 1 a.m., closing early when police arrive at midnight. But from January, police sirens won’t scare food stalls and shops in certain parts of the city anymore. Telangana government plans to launch the Night Time Economy (NTE) policy in select zones of Hyderabad, including Old City, Secunderabad, and Cyberabad. "We will start NTE from January, initially on select stretches in Old City, Secunderabad and Cyberabad," announced Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary. The new policy allows businesses in these zones to operate late-night automatically, without needing permits or licenses. Nalamotu Chakravarthy, who helped draft the policy, said, "Once an area is declared a Night-Time Economy Zone, every business inside it can operate late hours automatically — no permits, no licences, no inspections, no NOCs, no department hopping." This system ends the earlier 'permit raj' and government interference, making it easier for food joints, malls, and entertainment venues to run 24×7. The policy targets areas with many businesses like HiTec City and Financial District, which already attract many night visitors. Currently, many restaurants close by 11 or 11:30 p.m. though IT workers seek food and hangouts late into the night. The NTE is expected to grow Hyderabad's economy from ₹8,500 crore in 2025 to ₹26,011 crore by 2032 and create 2.1 to 2.4 lakh new jobs across hospitality, retail, transport, and entertainment. Cafe Niloufer’s MD, A. Shashank Rao, says, "If operating hours are extended, we will benefit and customers will also have more choices. It will be very beneficial for businesses." To support the night economy, the government plans better sanitation, street lighting, extended metro and bus service till 2 a.m., and increased safety measures like women-only patrols and CCTV. The city will also appoint a Night Czar to coordinate these efforts. Challenges like waste disposal and hygiene remain but the new plan aims to tackle them. As Hyderabad buzzes late at night, from roadside biryani stalls to classy cafes, the new Night Time Economy policy promises a seamless 24×7 city life, making late-night fun and business a regular feature. Starting January, "last order" signs may become a thing of the past.