Tuesday, 03 December 2024 | PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun
The Police have introduced a new rule prohibiting food delivery after midnight in Dehradun, eliciting mixed reactions from locals. Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh stated that the measure aims to reduce road accidents, prevent the misuse of delivery services for illegal activities and ensure the safety of delivery workers. While some residents have welcomed the move as necessary for public safety, others argue it is impractical and will disrupt lives.
A senior citizen and retired army officer Kishan Singh expressed his support for the ban. “It is good that the police are thinking about safety. Delivery boys often speed at night, risking accidents. Those who are hungry can order food before midnight. It is not a big deal but this decision will make the roads safer for everyone,” he said. A homemaker Ranjana Rawat also agreed with the police’s initiative. “I have heard of delivery boys getting into accidents or being harassed during late-night shifts. This ban ensures their safety and helps prevent unwanted incidents. Less number of people on roads will reduce accident chances as well,” she stated.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Balawala resident Anshul Bhatt who works late nights, expressed his frustration. “I return home at about 12:30 AM on most days and I rely on food delivery because I am too tired to cook. This decision does not consider people like us who work odd hours,” he said. A work from home professional Meeta Kathait who lives with her elderly sick mother in Sahastradhara area, shared a similar concern. “I work at night to meet international deadlines and I cannot disturb my mother for cooking. We already have a handful of restaurants in Dehradun that actually used to deliver late at night. Late night delivery is a lifeline for us,” she said.
College student Shobhit Bhandari who lives alone in a rented room in Karanpur area also opposed the decision. “Sometimes I study late into the night and order food because I am too exhausted to cook. This ban on late food deliveries makes life even harder for students like me,” he said. However, he added that though he will learn to plan his meal accordingly, this ban is not going to make any significant difference in preventing crime. “This ban will just cause fear mongering among people in my opinion, especially among tourists,” he added. Some delivery workers are also apprehensive about the financial hit. A 23-year-old delivery boy Sunil said, “Late night orders make up a big part of my earnings during festival and tourist season. If deliveries stop after midnight, I lose considerable income. This decision does not consider how it affects people like me.” While the police argue that the move is necessary to curb illegal activities, some residents believe alternative solutions could have been considered. “Why not conduct more night checks instead of banning deliveries altogether?” asked a local Vaibhav Verma. “This blanket rule affects everyone, not just the wrongdoers,” he added.
The debate over the midnight food delivery ban highlights the challenge of balancing safety with practicality. While the police’s intentions are rooted in public welfare, the decision has exposed the complexities of urban life in Dehradun, where late-night food delivery is more than a convenience, it is a necessity for many.
