Liquor shops banned on National and State Highways

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a stop on permits for liquor shops on national and state highways. Existing liquor shops will not have their permits renewed after March 31, 2017.

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a ban on the presence of liquor shops on national highways and state highways across the country. The bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur have issued an order that all liquor shops on highways should be not be visible to or be easily accessible to commuters on highways and that they should be located at a distance from highways.

On this regard, no new permits will be given for liquor shops on national and state highways. And existing liquor shops on highways will not have their permits renewed after March 31, 2017. The Supreme Court has also said that any signages indicating presence of liquor shops will be prohibited on the highways.

We at autoX welcome this move and are sure the people of India will support this initiative in an attempt to curb drunken driving. An NGO called ‘Arrive Safe’ had filed a public interest litigation on this account to the court. Arrive India had stated that 1.42 lakh people lose their lives annually in the country due to road accidents, many of which are caused by drunken driving. While hearing Arrive Safe’s PIL, the Supreme Court had reserved its order on the matter. But the bench comprising of Chief Justice TS Thakur, Justices DY Chandrachud and LN Rao said that it would ensure the menace of drunk driving was curbed on highways.