Thrikkakara: Following reports of the presence of drug peddlers and anti-social elements late at night, Thrikkakara Municipality is considering limiting the operating hours of all business establishments, including hotels, to 11 p.m.

A final decision on the matter, however, will be made during the council meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the hotel owners plan to take legal recourse to contest the municipality's decision. 

If the municipality decides to go ahead with their plans, it would affect the functioning of hotels, including public eateries, which rely more on customers at night. 

"It has come to notice that hotels working at odd hours at night are often the site of anti-social activities. Therefore, to avoid this, the municipality decided to place restrictions on an experimental basis for the next six months. The issue will be discussed at council meetings every two months to assess its effectiveness and make any required changes," said Radhamani Pillai, chairperson. She added that the shops will be allowed to reopen at 4 a.m. the next day.