The latest Supreme Court order that bans vending of liquor within 500 metres of highways is aimed at reducing the incidence of drunk driving and road fatalities
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It was Friday evening, March 31, and hospitality entrepreneur Ajit Dhumal was at one of his outfits, the British Brewing Company (BBC), a gastro pub in the busy suburb of Andheri in Mumbai. The area is known for its IT companies and a young professional workforce. Dhumal’s WhatsApp messenger beeped. He was not prepared for the message to follow: Hotels and restaurants within 500 metres of highways will not be allowed to sell liquor.
“I hoped it was a rumour and misinterpretation... but by late evening, it was clear that it was true,” says Dhumal, a director at BBC. The news caught the entire hospitality and real estate industry off guard. The general belief was that this ban — announced through an order by the Supreme Court last week — was meant only for vendor shops and would not impact bars or restaurants.
According to industry experts Forbes India spoke to, the latest Supreme Court order — which follows a broader December 15, 2016 ruling — bans vending of liquor within 500 metres of highways. The ruling is aimed at reducing the incidence of drunk driving and road fatalities along the roadways. Following the December 2016 order, restaurants, hotels and pub owners had sought a clarification between vending and serving liquor. But as the situation stands, experts are still not clear if the distinction has been made.