Despite patrolling by the police and action against the miscreants who drink liquor near the wine shop, the nuisance of open bars continues. Those who consume liquor use abusive language, get entangled in quarrels. Most such wine shops are in residential areas, where people suffer a lot. These scenes are witnessed by the people near wine shops in their areas almost daily and if they try to prevent people, there are chances of they being attacked by the violators. Bars and pubs in Nagpur, especially in areas like Dharampeth, Bajaj Nagar, Ring Road, etc create significant nuisance for residents. The problems include noise violations, public drinking, and safety concerns like violent brawls, which local authorities are actively trying to control. Admitting the fact, Superintendent of Police, State Excise Suraj Ramod said, “We have certain limitations.

 

We can’t take action if people are drinking in open, which comes under police jurisdiction. But we are planning some remedy for it.” Most wine shops run small general stores too, where snacks and packed food items are sold. People buy liquor from the wine shop and food items from the nearby shop. They consume liquor in the open. According to Ramod, when State Excise team asks the shop-owners to prevent people from drinking in the open in front of the shop, they argue that they are helpless. People drink liquor either in front of wine shop or at some other place. “The customers buying liquor are expected to possess permit licence. If the customers don’t possess the permit license, the shopkeepers should not sell them the liquor,” Ramod made it clear. He also admitted that whenever it comes to the notice of the department, action is taken.

 

Numerous shops in areas like Dharampeth, Bajaj Nagar, some spots at Ring Road, Mankapur, Mohan Nagar, Central Avenue, Futala, GMCH, IGGMCH, sell alcohol openly as evening descends, disturbing the overall safety. During ‘Operation Thunder’, police found several bars open and serving food and liquor. Such incidents are not controlled permanently because both police and State Excise are running short of adequate human resources. Rameshwari resident Nikhil Pande said, “We suffer a lot as these people become violent after consuming liquor. They should be stopped from doing it in the open.” At some places, the drivers, having consumed alcohol, are also involved in accidents. Police are running Operation U-turn but there is no check on open bars where people drink and go home.