For Gujarat bootleggers, Barmer is new fav route

Development has its side effects and Barmer district is seeing a rather strange one. The district with its small stretch of border with Gujarat is fast turning into the new favoured route to carry out their illegal trade. 

Liquor smuggling routes to Gujarat largely pass through Rajasthan. The routes used by smugglers span across the entire state and are controlled by different smuggling gangs.

The Rajasthan districts which are entry point for liquor from Haryana and Punjab are Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. And the six districts of Rajasthan having border with Gujarat; Udaipur, Banswara, Jalore, Sirohi, Dungarpur and Barmer from where consignments of the illegal liquor are sent into the ‘dry’ neighbouring state. 

According to sources in the excise department that did not wish to be named, “80% of the illegal liquor smuggled into Rajasthan is sent to Gujarat. Just about 10% to 15 % is used in Rajasthan and a miniscule amount gets caught.”

Large part of the liquor passes through Rajasthan to Gujarat, while some part of it is sent into Madhya Pradesh to be further sent to Gujarat. NH 8 and NH11 continue to be the steady routes.

But persons involved in smuggling of liquor now prefer the Barmer route into Gujarat. As per a person involved in this illegal trade, “The roads are smooth, well made and less patrolled. Entering through Hanumangarh and Ganganagar makes the perfect route for liquor smuggled from Punjab and Haryana.”

It is believed that illegal liquor worth over 500 crore is smuggled to Gujarat through Rajasthan.