Drinking in the open a big menace in colonies

Kukatpally: A wine shop being run in KPHB Phase 7 is encouraging its customers to consume liquor openly on the road. According to Rules 25 & 26 governing wine shop licences, the permit room must not be less than 20 sq metres and not more than 100 sq metres. It should not contain chairs and tables, and food cannot be supplied. Facilities like wash basin and toilets can be provided to the customers.

Rekha, a resident of KPHB, said, "It has become impossible to move on this stretch." Leave alone a permit room and cameras, there is no one to question, say residents.

Earlier, several public representatives of the area and colony welfare associations staged protests demanding that the government not allow wine shops amidst residential areas. Locals allege that the wine shop which is located on the main road from Kukatpally to Hi-Tec City has been encouraging its customers to take liquor beside the road openly, despite having permission to run permit room.

Many are seen consuming liquor openly beside the wine shop and are causing embarrassment to passersby, especially women. Women are also embarrassed by the open urination in the area. Ravi, a local resident, said that it was strange that no excise officials or police have taken any action against the wine shop management despite it happening openly.

A similar scene can be witnessed at a wine shop in Bhagyanagar Colony of KPHB where several people are seen everyday consuming liquor openly. The area also witnesses frequent traffic jams as many two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles are parked on the road near the wine shops.

As the road is the only one connecting the colony to the main road, locals, especially women, find it difficult to pass by the wine shop. Locals who spoke to Hans India demanded that the excise authorities and police take necessary action against wine shop managements who are causing severe inconvenience to people.

By AKULA SHIVA