BENGALURU: No liquor shop can dot the area within 220 metres of state and national highways from now on.
After a recent meeting, the Road Safety Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court the State Department of Transport and Department of Excise, took a decision to vacate all liquor shops that are within 220 mt of highways.
Dr Ramegowda, commissioner, state transport department, who attended the meeting in Delhi, said, “There is a clear direction to follow the road safety measures which include banning of liquor shops near the highways.”
“In this regard, we have discussed with the Excise Department and they are already acting upon and will close down the shops violating safety norms will be closed down,” he said.
Meanwhile the officials from the excise department confirmed that they have already started acting against such shops violating norms.
Umashankar commissioner for Excise department said, “There are two kinds of liquor shops one with violation and another without violation. The 220 metres rule applies for both State and National High ways and we are strictly adhering to that.”
According to the officer, they have already issued notices to those who are in violation. “So far we had acted against five such shops and notice has been issued. The first priority will be given for shifting and if they resist, we will close them down,” marked Umashankar.
In the meeting at Delhi, it was also discussed to extend it to 450 metres from high ways.
“The union minister suggested to extended it up to 450 metres, but majority of the participates did not accept the suggestion,” said another official.
Meeting highlights
Alter the curves on highways and try to make them straight
Educate about road safety by introducing a syllabus in school/college
Increase highway patroling
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