Goa government amends criteria to save bars along highways

The Goa government has decided to amend the measurement criteria of bars on highways to save maximum outlets from the Supreme Court order. The apex court had ordered closure of all bars falling within 500 mts from highways and 220 mts in smaller towns.

"The government has decided to resurvey the distance. Earlier, it was measured in aerial distance. After repetitive requests, the government has now agreed to remeasure using approach roads," said Dattaprasad Naik, President of Goa Liquor Traders Association.

This move by the government can save more than 500 bars. The government is also contemplating de-notifying some roads as state highways to save more such outlets. Towns with bypass roads having state highways passing through them will be relieved of the existing state highways and the bypass road will be re-designated as state highways.

"We are expecting the state government to come out with this order within a month. More than a 1,000 bars can restart if the existing state highways are denotified. As per the law, once a town has a bypass road, the bypass has to be designated as state highway," Naik said.

Maximum bars in the state of Goa, known for liquor trade had closed down following the SC order. Traders are hoping they will be able to reopen with these initiatives by the government. They are also hoping that the government will file a review petition to save these outlets.