TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Goa Government seems to be reluctant to shut bars and liquor outlets along national highways even though the Centre has urged State governments to crack the whip on sale of liquor along motorable routes as drinking and driving is a major cause of road accidents all across the country.
The Transport and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar who recently attended a meeting in the national capital on the subject of road safety said, “The Centre wants governments to close bars within two kilometre radius of highways.”
Asked if Goa government will implement this directive, Dhavalikar said, “You know it is not so easy to impose such a decision.”
Dhavalikar admitted that drinking and driving is the cause of road accidents in Goa and close to 30 to 35 per cent of accidents are caused by drunken driving in Goa especially during the tourist season.
Indications are that Goa may be having as many as 1500 bars and liquor outlets along highways.
Recently the State government was considering amendment to the Goa Excise Duty Rules 2013 which would not only put restrictions on liquor shops along the national highways, but also authorise the excise department to shut down the existing ones. However, as of now the proposal has been shelved.
The union ministry for road transport and highways had written to the State government a month ago in this regard.
