People buying liquor at a licensed vend at Soriyankuppam near Puducherry within the restricted distance on the NH-332
| Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar
The Puducherry government has directed the relocation of eight liquor and an arrack shop, situated along and abutting the newly-constructed NH-332, citing concerns that the shops pose risk to public and road safety.According to official sources, the decision to shift the eight liquor shops and an arrack vending unit located at Soriyankuppam revenue village in Bahour Commune was taken following a request from the Project Implementation Unit of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).The NHAI had requested the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management to take immediate measures for closing/relocating the liquor shops abutting the newly formed NH in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the instructions of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.“All the nine licensed liquor vends situated along/abutting NH-332 should be relocated to a location not falling within the prohibited distance, within 30 days, of receipt of notice. Failing to comply with the directions will be viewed seriously and action will be initiated under the provisions of the Puducherry Excise Act and Rules, 1970, including suspension/cancellation of the license, without any further notice,” an Excise department official said.
