34 top-end pubs, bars in Gurgaon’s CyberHub could go dry from April 1

gurgaon

Updated: Feb 13, 2017 01:23 IST

Thirty-four pubs and bars in Gurgaon’s upscale DLF CyberHub, near the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, are staring at an uncertain future after the Supreme Court mandated that sale of liquor will not be allowed within 500 metres of national and state highways.

The excise department has also identified another 109 pubs and 43 liquor vends that would lose their licences on April 1 in compliance with the apex court order.

The bars in several five-star hotels and resorts, located along the expressway, also fall within the red zone.

On December 15, the Supreme Court had directed states and union territories to stop sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and the state highways, as well as on service lanes along highways.

Read | Gurgaon’s pub and bar owners to seek clarity on liquor ban from court

The court also directed the administration and the police departments of all states to chalk out a plan for enforcement within a month.

The closure of the 43 liquor vends could result in a loss of Rs 70.81 crore in revenue per year.

Some pubs and bars in the Sector 29 market will also be affected. A number of such outlets are also located along Sohna Road.

“We will comply with the orders of the Supreme Court. We have conducted a survey and will shortly submit the report to the headquarters,” said Aruna Singh, deputy excise and taxation commissioner, Gurgaon.

Read | Liquor shops ban on highway: Judiciary takes the wheel for road safety

Pub owners are planning to meet the excise department officials to get more clarity on the matter.

“Restaurants are being targeted unjustifiably. A restaurant is the safest place for an individual to drink and at least more than three-and-a-half lakh employees face the risk of losing jobs,” said Arvind Kumar, general manager, The Wine Company.

“Due to a lack of description in the ruling, all food and beverages outlets have come under the scanner. Let’s hope that the Supreme Court will explain this and give us a realistic guideline of the ruling,” Goumtesh Singh, owner, Raasta Cafe.

Read | 175 liquor vends along highways in Ghaziabad to be affected by SC ban