VISAKHAPATNAM: A confusion over the recognition of the NH-16 passing through the Visakhapatnam city has put the excise authorities and owners of wine shops and bars in a dilemma on the implementation of the Supreme Court orders pertaining to removal of all outlets serving liquor in the 500-meter radius of the NH/state highways by March 31.
Following the apex court order issued in view of the rise in fatal accidents on highways owing to drunk driving, the state excise authorities asked the district officials to take necessary measures for the strict implementation of the directive.
However, it’s the confusion over whether or not the stretch between Anakapalle and Anandapuram Junction is a part of the NH-16 which has emerged a barrier for excise official to implement the SC verdict in toto.
The excise officials say that they have sought clarification from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in this regard, while the latter say that the stretch is nothing but a part of the NH-16.
The confusion prevails as a toll plaza was set up at Aganampudi long ago. Prior to this, there is a parallel/substitute road from Anandapuram Junction via Pendurthi to Anakapalle which is also known as the highway road.
In 2015, the GoI issued a Gazette notification stating that the Anandapuram Junction to Anakapalle via Pendurthi road is part of the NH-16. In fact, the stretch has not developed like the NH and it has been considered as a bypass road for the NH-16 since its inauguration.
But, Visakhapatnam excise authorities issued closure notices to all the liquor shopkeepers on the NH passing through the city.
Meanwhile, some of the liquor dealers moved the HC stating that the SC order won’t apply to them and made the NHAI a party to the dispute. Hearing their objections, the Hyderabad HC ordered a stay on the closure notices and ordered excise officials to submit all the relevant documents for the final judgment.
Now, the excise officials are busy collecting documents and preparing their counter. It can be stated that these wine shops and bars have licences up to June 30. So excise officials are now working to present their version before the court with documents and evidences to prove that the road which cuts through the city is undoubtedly a part of the NH-16.
“Nearly 50 to 55 liquor shops may come under the purview of the court orders. We have requested the NHAI several times to clarify on the notified highway road. Once we receive the clarification, we will submit the documents before the court and implement the apex court orders,” explains an excise official.
“Still, we are treating Maddilapalem, Gurudwara and NAD junctions Gajuwaka main road as the NH-16 though we stated that the Anandapuram Junction-Pendurthi-Anakapalle stretch as the NH stretch. In fact, there is no need to debate on the notification of any road as a national/state highway.
Rather, we should see that how safe the road is. Generally, an NH having around 40,000 PCUs (Passenger Car Unit in a metre) should be developed as a six-lane highway and the Maddilapalem-NAD Junction- Gajuwaka highway road stretch is estimated to have nearly 45,000 PCUs,” says Srinivas, project director, NHAI (Vizag).
Above all, as drunk driving cases are increasing, it is always suggested to allow liquor shops away from the heavy traffic highway roads, he adds.