With a number of States yet to comply with its directions, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has again asked them to ensure removal of liquor shops from highways to minimise accidents caused due to drunken driving.
NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra has written to Chief Secretaries of all State Governments and heads of UTs to take necessary action to remove liquor shops from the NHs and not to issue fresh licence if the location is squarely on the National Highways.
This is, perhaps, the fourth reminder to the States in view of India accounting for about five lakh road accidents annually with 1.5 lakh fatalities, which is highest in the world.
While Gujarat, has a blanket ban, Punjab and Haryana followed the order initially but got its stayed through court later on. States have been arguing that closure of liquor shops along the highways would result in heavy loss of revenue.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had also earlier issued an advisory to all the States to remove liquor shops from National Highways and not to issue fresh licences to liquor vendors.
“The issue is so serious that the Supreme Court has appointed a Committee under its retired Judge KS Radhakrishnan to find ways by different stakeholders to reduce the accidents,” said a NHAI official. The committee, in one of its recommendations to the Supreme Court, called for a ban on sale of alcohol on National Highways.
The official said ban on sale of alcohol on National Highways would help in reducing the road accidents due to drunken driving.
The Supreme Court last year had said that the total ban on liquor shops along National Highways would be enforced only after elaborate discussions and consultations with all the stakeholders like State excise commissioners, revenue officials and also alcohol shop owners.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Centre, explained the draft policy on banning liqour shops along highways. Rohatgi told the court that as per the policy, no liquor outlets will be allowed within the periphery of 220 metres of the highway and also at places clearly visible from the highway.