Hyderabad: Buying a drink on the highways may not be that easy in the future if the AP government has its way. The AP Excise department has agreed to a proposal from the transport department to not renew licences of liquor shops located on highways. Licences of liquor outlets expire by June-end and the traders would be told to relocate their outlets about 500 metres to 1 km away from the highways.
The Supreme Court had earlier suggested that the Union transport ministry not allow liquor shops on highways following which the ministry wrote to state governments to work out a policy so that the apex court’s suggestion was followed. Consequently, the new excise policy, which is being given final touches by the state government, prohibits presence of liquor shops on the highways. The new policy is likely to be brought out in July.
Of course, tipplers can always go off the highway for about half-a-km and get their drinks, but at least the government will be successful in removing them from sight. Transport department special chief secretary B. Sam Bob confirmed that come July, there would be no liquor shops on the highways.
