As colours, music, and festive cheer take over Delhi on Holi, residents in the national capital will not have to worry about shuttered liquor shops this year. Breaking from past practice, the Delhi government has removed Holi from its list of 'dry days,' allowing alcohol outlets across the capital to remain open during the festival.
An order issued in January specifies that only Republic Day, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti will be observed as dry days till the end of March. "There will be no dry day on Holi and liquor shops will function normally. Closures will take place strictly as per the January order," the official said.
Over the past few years, Holi was typically included among the dry days in the capital, which has around 750 liquor outlets.
The order also clarifies that licence holders will not be entitled to any compensation for changes in the dry day list, and that the restriction on liquor sales does not apply to hotels serving alcohol to their guests.
Holi, also known as the 'Festival of Colours', is celebrated across India with joy. This year, Rangwali Holi, also known as Dhulandi, is being celebrated today, March 4.
Drunken driving to cost 3-month licence suspension
The Delhi Traffic Police has deployed personnel at around 134 major intersections across the city on Holi, with strict enforcement against drunken driving and a provision for suspension of driving licences for a minimum of three months in serious violations.
Issuing a detailed traffic advisory, the police said special checking teams will be stationed at major junctions and vulnerable stretches to curb offences such as drunken driving, over-speeding, reckless and zig-zag driving, red-light jumping, triple riding, riding without helmets and performing stunts on two-wheelers.
According to the directions of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, in cases of drunken driving, red-light jumping, using a mobile phone while driving, dangerous driving and over-speeding, the driving licence of the offender will be seized and liable for suspension for at least three months, the advisory stated.
Action will also be initiated against registered owners if their vehicles are found to be driven by minors or unauthorised persons.
Also Read: Why throwing colours on Holi feels emotionally freeing, a neurologist explains
