Chennai: What looks like a way to re-open the closed bars and Tasmac shops in the limits of city and towns, but located on roads maintained by highways after a Supreme
Court order, the commissioner of municipal administration has issued an order stating that roads belonging to various departments would be handed over to the respective corporations municipalities for easy maintenance.
The Supreme Court order which banned sale of alcohol on highways from April 1, had forced hotels and clubs on Anna Salai, ECR, OMR, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Poonamallee High Road- the roads maintained by highways – to close their bars. Similarly hotels on highways in towns across the state too had closed their liquor business after SC order.
The latest order from municipal administration has asked officials in-charge of local bodies to bring in resolutions to that effect.
Though the order says it was meant for easy maintenance of roads, many believes that changing hands of highway roads to local bodies is a step make sure that alcohol sale is done on roads in city and municipality limits without violating a Supreme Court order.
However the order from commissioner of municipal administration dated April 21, talks only about better maintenance and quicker repairs, especially during times of rains or floods. Not just highway road but major district roads were also to be taken over by local bodies, according to the order.
It may be noted that powerful hotel lobby was working overtime to find a way to re-start the sale of alcohol in star hotels on Anna Salai, ECR, OMR, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai where the bars and pubs were closed.
