Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to remove liquor shops from National highways

NEW DELHI: Taking into account the importance for road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked the Chief Secretaries of all State Governments to take necessary action to remove liquor shops directly located on National Highways and also to reject fresh licenses of any such liquor shops.

The NHAI Chairman has written to all chief secretaries to take necessary precaution. NHAI has also sent an alert to the State Governments about refusingpermission to liquor shops that are located or wish to be located on National Highways.

India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world. As per a WHO estimate, over 1.5 lakh people are killed in road accidents every year.

The Supreme Court has appointed a Committee under retired Supreme Court Judge K.S. Radhakrishnan, to find ways to reduce the accidents.

The Committee, in one of its recommendations to the Supreme Court of India, has recommended ban on sale of alcohol on the National Highways.