As Bengaluru celebrated the year-end, restaurants, transport services, and delivery agents geared up to meet the surge in demand. According to the Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association, standalone restaurants hired temporary staff across roles, including servers, cooks, and security guards, to cater to partygoers. “With it being a non-wedding season, staff from Palace Grounds and choultries are available, along with hotel management students gaining industry exposure,” said association president P C Rao.
To enhance safety, restaurants complied with police mandates to employ female bouncers. Guest DJs were also hired at some venues, while others opted for in-house entertainment, said Chethan Hegde, Bengaluru chapter head of the National Restaurant Association of India.
Auto and cab drivers witnessed a sharp rise in bookings, with December 31 seeing a threefold increase, and January 1 night rides doubling compared to normal. Tanveer Pasha, president of the Ola Uber Driver’s and Owner’s Association, advised drivers to verify destinations with inebriated passengers and call 112 for assistance if needed. Traffic restrictions in areas like Church Street and Brigade Road redirected pickups to nearby junctions such as Anil Kumble Circle and Trinity Circle.
Delivery agents focused on neighborhoods like Koramangala and Indiranagar, dividing territories for efficient service. Raju, a grocery delivery agent, capitalized on surge pricing, completing 10 extra deliveries on New Year’s Eve. “Apps are a lifeline for residents avoiding chaotic streets,” he noted.
With strategic hiring and planning, Bengaluru’s service industry successfully navigated the festive rush.
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