The final goal is public safety, health

as to how the directions can be assailed as unconstitutional and wrong by some person(s) or that the same shall not have any effect on the consumption of alcohol by public. The advocacy of the directions encroaching upon any legislative act or power can only be a shallow attempt to create aspersions on the highest judicial minds of the country, as there is nothing in the order that could be construed as breach of any fundamental right(s) or could amount to judicial overreach.

Easy and quick access to a liquor vend even tempts the individual who otherwise may not be a habitual consumer, but is tempted by its sheer presence every few metres of his journey. A mind preoccupied with work or urgency to reach his destination shall be oblivious to the things that do not cross his vision, and thereby forgetting them, even if so, temporarily.

There can be no debate that most people coming home tired or travelling for leisure/work, specially with their families, shall refrain from taking any detour to purchase or consume alcohol. The mere convenience of the availability of liquor at stop(s) for refreshment during one’s journey, might tempt some consumers.

Further, commercial vehicles shall keep away from liquor vends as these vehicles are mostly fitted with GPS systems and any detour out of their route shall reflect so on the map and may be questioned by their employer. The monitoring of the vehicle’s location and movement acts as a deterrent to drivers of commercial vehicles on highways.

The cost to the State of lives lost in drunk driving accidents aggregate to much more than the State stands to lose from loss of revenue from liquor licences. A state banking on intoxicating its inhabitants for money cannot even remotely call itself a welfare state.

Any act to curtail a business, which promotes sale of intoxicating and unhealthy elixirs, is to be lauded and not frowned upon. In a country where the public at large sees the court as a last resort to justice and fairness, any suggestion of the non-application of mind by such a respected and deeply honoured institution should be dismissed.

Keeping in mind the paramount importance of public safety and health, there can be no doubt about the fact that these directions shall keep at least a considerable number of people away from liquor vends during their journey, if not all.