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New Delhi : The Supreme Court of India vide its order dated December 15, 2016, and November 30, 2017, in Civil Appeal Nos 12164-12166 of 2016 (State of Tamil Nadu and Ors. Vs K. Balu & Anr.) hads issued directions regarding stopping the grant of licenses for sale of liquor along national and state highways and over a distance of 500 metres from the outer edge of the national or state highways or of a service lane along the highway. In the case of areas under jurisdiction of in local bodies with a population of 20,000 people or less, the distance of 500 metres is reduced to 220 metres.
As per the orders of the Supreme Court, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has requested all the State Governments and UTs, from time to time, to take necessary action for implementation of the order(s) of the Supreme Court. Further, Section 185 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, provides for punishment of imprisonment or fine or both for the offence of drunken driving cases. Besides, the Ministry undertakes campaigns through print and electronic media to spread awareness about dangers of drunken driving, according to a PIB release.
The Ministry deals with the matters related to development of National Highways and providing access to properties situated along the National Highways. It has no control on the usage of and business run in these properties located beyond the Right of Way (ROW) of National Highways. The Government does not collect data on removal of liquor shops as this is a state subject.
This information was given by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 26, 2021.