Mumbai: The liquor ban on national and state highways has severely affected thousands of hotels in Maharashtra. Confirming the news, an official of Indian Hotel And Restaurant Association (AHAR) said the state would have to face an annual loss of ₹7,000 crores. Starting from April 1 the Supreme Court extended the liquor ban to pubs, hotels and restaurants falling within 500 metres of national or state highways.
Adarsh Shetty, AHAR president told PTI that around 10,000 hotels and restaurants in Maharashtra have stopped serving alcohol post the Apex Court guideline.
Earlier Mr. Shetty had said that the liquor ban will also affect Mumbai’s domestic and international airport as both the airport are close to the highways. Domestic airport in suburban Santacruz is located in the vicinity of the Western Express Highway.
However, a GVK spokesperson later confirmed that the ban will not be applicable to the two airports as they are well beyond 500 metres from the highway.
With inputs from PTI
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