78 more bars face closure over deadlock in Mira-Bhayandar

While some of the state governments are seeking the “denotification” of state highways within cities, 78 establishments including permit rooms, beer bars, wine/beer shops and country liquor outlets operating within jurisdiction of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) are facing closure, owing to ambiguities and lack of communication between government departments.

Exactly a month after, 102 liquor shops on NH 8 in Kashimira stopped selling liquor in compliance to the Apex Court orders on April 1. Since the road was earlier considered as a state highway, the excise wing had sought maps of roads adjoining the highway and leading to the Uttan-Gorai belt. In a much needed respite for bars and shops operating on this belt, the MBMC, in an official reply, stated that the said road was handed over to them in 2006. However, the hoteliers were in a shock on Monday, when they were ordered an immediate closure on sale of liquor.

“Since the civic body has taken over the erstwhile highway (SH:84) and is maintaining it for all these years, there is no point imposing a ban here. Unfortunately, more than 4,000 people will be rendered jobless on World Labour Day by this unjustified move,” said local hotelier.

“Although the road is maintained by the MBMC, its de-notification status is yet to be inked on paper, thus bringing it under the ambit of compliance to the apex court orders and face closure,” said an excise officer. It has been contended that after the road handover process, the onus of de-notifications is rested on the shoulders of the state PWD wing, bit it has mysteriously shied away from doing it all these years, sources said.