Bengaluru: There is no concrete move by recently closed pubs and bars to reopen their outlets in residential areas, but people in many areas were apprehensive that these vendors would head to such areas and create nuisance.

Already, many resident welfare associations are putting up a fight against commercialisation of residential areas. Ms Swarna Venkataraman, vice-president, Indiranagar 1st Stage League, told Deccan Chronicle, “Chances of closed pubs and bars moving into residential areas are very high. Their only aim is to move 500 metres away from the highways."

“Indiranagar, which has been already exploited to its fullest, is also called the 'Pub-nagar' or the 'Bar-nagar'. Having a pub or a bar in Indiranagar means a lot of business for the owners and they do not care whether their shop falls under the commercial area or right inside a residential area,” she said.

There are many residential buildings which have put up boards saying commercial spaces available for rent, she said. Residential building owners get three times the rent if they give out their space for commercial operations. They just see the money and are not worried about the inconvenience caused to other residents, who have to bear loud music and drunkards spilling onto the streets, she said.