Kerala High Court directs state government to shift liquor outlets on national highways

The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the state government to take steps to shift state-owned liquor retail outlets located on national highways and service roads.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice AM Shaffique gave the direction on a PIL by one PK Mohammed of Karunagapally complaining of frequent accidents and traffic congestion due to the functioning of the outlets run by the Beverages Corporation. The bench asked the government to file a progress report within three weeks.

According to Kerala Beverages Corporation, there are 169 liquor outlets on the national and state highways.