A team of officials measured the motorable distance from a service lane on the expressway to the first point of sale on April 11 and, sources say, they found it to be over 500 m.
Picture used for representative purpose only
Here’s some good news for five-star hotels on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Excise department sources say that the motorable distance from a service lane on NH8 to the point of first sale (of liquor) has been found to be over 500 metres.
The Supreme Court had recently upheld its verdict of a December 15 order, banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and state highways.
A team of officials from various authorities, such as the police, Public Works Department, National Highways Authority of India, district administration and excise department, measured the distance of these hotels on April 11.
According to sources, initial reports indicate that five hotels, namely The Westin, Crowne Plaza, The Oberoi, Trident, and Country Inn and Suites in Udyog Vihar, will probably escape from the Supreme Court liquor ban.
Gaurav Bhalla, managing director of Vatika Hotels, told City Spidey, “The main entry of our hotel is 1.8 km away from the highway. Being the most reputed five star hotel of Gurgaon, this has come as a great relief for us. We are hoping to serve [liquor] in a few days.”
The motorable distance of 46 establishments, including five in Ambience Mall and 35 in Cyber Hub, was measured by the excise department. The distance for The Leela Ambience was also measured. For hotels in Udyog Vihar, the distance was measured from the edge of the highway to the first point of sale in the establishment.
The report by the team is set to be submitted to the deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, on April 12. After the committee members discuss the matter on April 13, they will release the final list of hotels and establishments coming under the ban.
