Ggn five-stars may escape liquor ban

NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court order prohibiting sale and serving of alcohol in shops and restaurants within 500 metres of any national and state highway may not impact five-star hotels on Delhi-Gurgaon expressway.

Sources in the excise departmet said during a recent measurement drive, the motorable distance from a service lane on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (NH8) to the first point of sale, was found to be more than 500 metres

A team of officials — comprising the district administration, excise department, National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, and the police — measured the distance of these establishments on Tuesday.

Initial reports suggest that the five hotels, including The Westin, Crowne Plaza, The Oberoi, Trident and Country Inn and Suites in Udyog Vihar, are likely to be safe from the Supreme Court ruling.

The distance of hotels in Udyog Vihar was measured from the edge of the highway to the first point of sale in the establishment.

“The main entry of our hotel is 1.8 kilometre away from the highway. This has come as a great relief to us,” Gaurav Bhalla of Westin Hotel said. Establishment owners are hopeful that they will get relief within a week.

The excise department measured distance of 46 establishments, including 35 in Cyber Hub and five in Ambience Mall. The measurement for The Leela Ambience, The Oberoi, Trident, Country Inns and Suites, Crowne Plaza, and The Westin hotels was also conducted.

The report will be submitted by the team to the deputy commissioner, Gurgaon on Wednesday. Committee members are scheduled to hold discussions on Thursday after which they will release the final list of establishments that will be affected by Supreme Court’s ban.

“We will submit the report on Thursday to the deputy commissioner and we have received 16 more affidavits from other establishment,” said HC Dahiya, deputy excise and taxation officer(West).