SHILLONG: Liquor shops along the Shillong-Guwahati route are doing a thriving business with the Ri Bhoi district administration yet to embark on a crackdown process against the outlets.
The Shillong-Guwahati road, the major part of which falls on NH-6 is the busiest route in Meghalaya with hundreds of vehicles plying through it on a daily basis and despite drunk driving being an offence under law, commuters and drivers are often seen crowding outside liquor shops while in journey.
Taking cognizance of the presence of liquor shops along the national highways in the country, the Supreme Court last month had ordered a ban on the sale of liquor on all State Highways in the country, stating that licenses of liquor shops in and around the National Highways would be cancelled.
The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, however, said that the shops can operate till March 31, 2017.
Speaking on the implementation of the Apex Court order, Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner CP Gotmare said that the District Administration is yet to initiate action against liquor shops along the highway as it is waiting for the directive of the State Excise department in this regard.
The Supreme Court earlier also came down heavily on States for not heeding to the Centre’s advice to not give out licenses to outlets on the highways. Instead, the states have increased the number of licenses, the bench pointed out.
A drive along the Shillong- Guwahati road might initially indicate that there are fewer liquor shops on the route but the situation changes drastically once one reaches Byrnihat with scores of liquor shops dotting the stretch till Khanapara.
As per Meghalaya police statistics, out of the 572 road accidents in the state in 2015, 41 occurred due to driving under the influence of liquor/drugs. 13 people died while 57 people were injured in these accidents.
