Supreme Court said No more liquor shops in National and State Highways

New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued directions regarding stopping the grant of licenses for the sale of liquor along national and state highways and over a distance of 500 metres from the outer edge of the national or state highways or of a service lane along the highway.

In the case of areas under the jurisdiction of local bodies with a population of 20,000 people or less, the distance of 500 metres is reduced to 220 metres. As per the orders of the apex court, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) requested all the state governments and UTs, from time to time, to take necessary action for implementation of the order.

Further, Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides for punishment of imprisonment or fine or both for the offence of drunken driving cases. Besides, the Ministry undertakes campaigns through print and electronic media to spread awareness about the dangers of drunken driving.

However, MoRTH deals with matters related to the development of national highways and providing access to properties situated along the national highways. It has no control on the use of and business run in these properties located beyond the Right of Way of national highways. The government does not collect data on the removal of liquor shops as this is a state subject.