The Supreme Court's order on banning sale of liquor along highways could spell gloom for Bengaluru, which possibly has the highest number of pubs in the country. Many of the city's legendary pubs, located on M.G. Road, Brigade Road and Church Street, could be shut down or relocated next week, as the excise department is not likely renew their licenses.
The SC order prohibiting the sale of liquor within 500 metres of highways came into effect on April 1, 2017. The ban applies not just to bars and pubs, but also to star hotels and restaurants along national and state highways. In Karnataka, the current excise year will come to an end by June 30, and pub and bar owners in the city are frantic with worry.
Santhosh, floor captain at Blue Frog, Church Street, says that the ruling has led to an air of uncertainty. “We are still waiting for an intimation from the excise department on license renewal,” he said. “Hopefully, we will get it by Monday. I believe things will work out,” he adds, as an afterthought.
The increasing incidents of drunk driving deaths has been cited as the reason behind the liquor ban.
The court clarified that the order has been issued “in the interest of the public health”.
Twenty-four-year-old Shravan Shankar, who often goes to pubs to unwind, finds it hard to understand the logic behind the ruling. “A highway traveler wanting to have a drink can still have it. With GPS, navigation has become so easy. Having to cover a distance of 500 metres is not going to stop him from drinking,” he says.
T.M. Meharwde, treasurer, Federation of Wine Merchants Association in Karnataka, points out that around 850 liquor vendors in Bengaluru may be shut down next week. “The resultant revenue loss could be around Rs 2,600 crores. The ban will cause large scale unemployment too. It is not feasible to rehabilitate all those who lose their jobs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Excise Amendment Bill 2017 passed today offers a ray hope to pub lovers in Bengaluru. The bill redefined 'sale of liquor' by introducing two new clauses. As per the provisions of the bill, supplying liquor “at clubs, restaurants, hotels and other places” along the highway does not become a breach of law as long as it is “consumed within their premises”.
Rajasthan and Chandigarh have bypassed the SC verdict by redesignating their state highways as district roads.
All eyes are now on Bengaluru as it is at risk of losing its title of 'pub city'.
