SHILLONG: Is the mushrooming of wine shops along the National Highways one of the main causes of the increasing number of road accidents?
This question has been raised by the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) after it sought information through an RTI from the Excise Department regarding the number of wine shops situated along the highways from Khanapara in Ri Bhoi District up to Ratachera in East Jaintia Hills District.
According to the RTI reply received by HITO, there are as many as 126 wine shops operating along the National Highways — 78 in Ri Bhoi District, 15 in East Jaintia Hills, and 13 in West Jaintia Hills District.
Speaking to the media at the Shillong Press Club, HITO General Secretary Wanbun N. Dkhar said that the organisation had filed the RTI with the Office of the Commissioner of Excise, seeking clarification on the number of wine shops along the highways. The RTI also sought to know whether these shops had obtained permission from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and what exactly the term “Shop Open” — as displayed in some wine shops — meant.
“As per the RTI reply, there are 126 wine shops along the National Highways — 78 in Ri Bhoi, 15 in East Jaintia Hills, and 13 in West Jaintia Hills. However, the department also stated that these shops do not possess NOCs from the Ministry. This clearly shows that they were opened illegally, violating the provisions of the National Highways regulations,” Dkhar said.
It may be recalled that in 2017, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a letter to all Chief Secretaries of States and Chief Engineers (Highways) directing them to close down all wine shops located along the National Highways that were opened without permission from the Ministry.
Dkhar further stated that HITO had also sought clarification on the meaning of the phrase “Shop Open” written on many of these stores, asking whether it was an official approval from the concerned department. However, the authorities refused to provide a clear explanation.
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“The phrase ‘Shop Open’ displayed in these wine stores is merely a deceptive tactic to bypass the official notification of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). These wine shops are illegal as per the 2016 Supreme Court ruling and the notification of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,” Dkhar asserted.
Meanwhile, HITO President Donbok Dkhar stated that writing “Shop Open” on wine stores is simply a way to circumvent the directives of the NHAI and MoRTH. He emphasized that the unchecked proliferation of wine shops along the highways is a major factor contributing to the rise in road accidents.
“The uncontrolled increase of wine shops has directly led to more road accidents. In just the past few days, several accidents have occurred, claiming the lives of young people, elders, and mothers — many caused by drunk driving,” he said.
He added, “The state depends heavily on revenue from liquor, but when there are laws in place, they must be enforced. Small shopkeepers are often harassed for minor violations, yet nothing is done against these highway wine shops. Therefore, HITO is giving the government one month to respond and to produce all necessary NOCs as per the rules and regulations. If the government fails to act, the organisation will have no choice but to shut down these wine shops itself.”
