18 Feb 2017 | 02:13am IST
Panjim’s Latin Quarter laments that the time has come to say, ‘Last one for the road’
The story of woe stretches from Mala to St Cruz; restaurants have received notices from the Director of Panchayats to remove advertisements indicating availability of liquor on Highways
VRISHANK MAHATME
PANJIM: The bylanes of Mala and Fontainhas, home to the cultural charm offensive of gorgeous Panjim, are oozing worry. Bars and restaurants, which have served generations of Panjimites, are looking at this journey coming to an end. Is the party over, even in the Latin quarter of Panjim? It surely seems so.
The Supreme Court order to close down liquor outlets within 500 metres of National and State Highways has left the Mala and Santa Cruz liquor traders and restaurants worried.
A majority of the liquor shops, wholesale dealers and restaurant owners are worried that their livelihoods will get seriously hit if the business, which has been carried on for generations, has to close down.
Speaking to Herald, Savitri Naik, owner of Naik Restaurant and Bar at Mala said, “If this happens, our entire business will be shut down. We just cannot survive on restaurant business without serving alcohol. If the order is implemented we will have to close down our business and there is no alternative.”
The proprietor of a wine store at St Cruz said, “This move will affect our business and our livelihood. This order is not only for Goa but the whole the country and as it is the apex court’s order we cannot do anything.”
There is also the fear that tourism will be hit. Linda De Souza, owner of Viva Panjim Bar and Restaurant at Fontainhas said, “This move is going to harm my business and without serving alcohol my restaurant cannot survive only on food. I am not in favour of this ban and I can say that tourism here will be affected largely.”
An official from the Hotel Kamal Palace, a restaurant and bar on the Mala-Santa Cruz road speaking to Herald said, “This move will seriously affect our business and livelihood. First the same problem came on mining and now on us. Our families will suffer and there will be huge losses.”
He added, “Today we have received another notice from the Directorate of Panchayats on removal of signages and advertisements indicating availability of liquor on National and State Highways. Our business will have to shut down and we cannot do anything as it is a Supreme Court order.”
