Liquor permit service at Vadodara, Bhuj airports

VADODARA: In a bid to boost tourism, Gujarat government has started to issue liquor permit to visitors at Vadodara and Bhuj airports thus making the process of getting the permit smooth in the 'dry' state.

A large number of visitors, including foreigners arrive at Vadodara airport and getting liquor permit from the authorities is a lengthy process, hence, it has been made easy with permit issuance directly at Vadodara and Bhuj airports, a senior tourism department official told PTI.

The official said the service at both airports have started from March and they are issuing on an average 10-15 permits each day at Vadodara airport.

The first such service was started at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad four years ago.

"The state government has done away with the lengthy procedure to get liquor permit (for visitors) making liquor consumption easy in Gujarat," he said.

The official said, "Now visitors, both domestic and international passengers can get the form from the designated counter and submit it along with the permit fee at the airport itself."

Visitors traveling from foreign countries will need to submit a photocopy of their passport while passengers flying within the country will have to furnish identity proof, he said.

The initiative will boost tourism in the state and ensure that Gujarat's "dry state" does not limit tourism prospects, he added.