VASCO
With Mormugao taluka uniquely connected by three national highways, the Supreme Court's directives to shut down bars, wholesale liquor shops and wine shops located within 500 metres of these highways could have severe consequences for the entire taluka.
Speaking to The Goan, Vasco Excise Inspector Mukund Gawas said Mormugao taluka is connected by three national highways “ Zuari bridge to Hotel Goan Maharaja at Verna (NH17), Zuari bridge to Chicalim junction, Vasco, Headland Sada and Harbour (NH17A) and Verna junction to Queenie Nagar Sancoale, Dabolim, Varunapuri Headland Sada and Harbour (NH17B).
“Except for a few bars from New Vaddem, one at Khariwada and some at Baina, all the other bars and wholesale liquor shops will have to close down with the Supreme Court's directives. The Excise Department at Vasco had issued 660 licenses, of which 593 are presently doing business in Mormugao taluka and our jurisdiction is right up to The Goan Maharaja at Verna,” said Gawas.
These figures do not include restaurants which also serve alcohol to their customers and those located within the 500 metres of the three highways in Mormugao taluka will also be affected.
“Last year, 593 bars and wholesale liquor shops generated a revenue of Rs 39,36,494,” added Gawas.
“Of the 593 bars and liquor wholesale shops in the taluka, 290 of them face closure due to the Supreme Court's directives. Further, of the 290 liquor shops, 15 bars are located along the NH17, which starts from Zuari bridge at Cortalim upto The Goan Maharaja at Verna,” informed Gawas.
Gawas added that 140 bars and wholesale liquor shops are located along the NH17A, which starts from Zuari bridge at Cortalim, Sancoale, Chicalim, Vasco, Headland Sada and Harbour and 135 bars are situated along the NH17, which starts from Verna junction, Dabolim, Shantinagar, Varunapuri, Headland Sada and Harbour.
“The remaining 303 bars in Cansaulim village upto Park Hyatt will be saved, as they do not come within the jurisdiction of the national highway," said Gawas.
Commenting on the revenue collected by the State, Gawas said: “Last year, the State collected revenue of about Rs 314 crore and this year, the excise department had a target of about Rs 354 crore from bars, wholesale liquor shops and distilleries.”
