Big Delhi, Gurgaon hotels along highways stop serving liquor

Many luxurious hotels and restaurants falling within 500 metres of national and state highways said they are not serving liquor following the Supreme Court ban.

The top court by its December 15, 2016 order had banned liquor shops within 500 metres on either side of the national and state highways in a bid to curb accidents caused by drunken driving.

The court on March 31 refused to issue a clarification that its order applied only to liquor shops and not to hotels and restaurants. It said that no such relaxation could be made that would defeat the object of preventing drunken driving.

All luxury hotels, including the Leela Ambience, and also those in Aerocity have stopped serving alcohol following the SC order.

"We are neither serving liquor at the bar nor as part of the room service," a reservation agent from Pullman Hotel, in Aerocity, told IANS. Others located along the national highway NH8 also claimed that they are not serving liquor following the court's order.

Radisson at Bilaspur, Crowne Plaza, The Oberoi, and The Leela Kempinski are among other hotels that have stopped serving alcohol in Gurugram since the apex court order.

The media convenors from the various hotels refused to comment on the impact that this step would have on the hotels.

However, some properties, including Leela Palace, Hyatt Regency, Taj Palace, Vivanta by Taj, Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon Baani Square, Park Plaza, Citrus hotel and Lemon Tree continued serving alcohol as they are beyond 500 metres from the highway.

--IANS

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