Low on spirits: No bids for 29 city liquor shops

Bhopal: No bid was received for the auction of 29 liquor shops as liquor contractors apparently boycotted the tender process. The auction of 29 shops in 7 groups took place on Monday. The reserved or base prices of shops was Rs 520 crore. The excise department sources said that the shops would be put on auction on March 5 again, with the shops going for auction in the second phase. "Taking Bhopal shops on prices they are demanding is not financially viable. That's why there was no tender received for any of the shops,", said a prospective bidder from Gwalior on the condition of anonymity. The 87 liquor shops of Bhopal district have been divided into 20 groups and they will be auctioned in 3 phases. Monday's auction was the first phase.
The base price of liquor shops for the year 2026-27 is on-an-average 20% more than the price on which the shop concerned was auctioned in 2025-26. All the shops in the district in 2025-26 were auctioned for a total sum of Rs 1193 crore, which was 11% more than the target. The reserve price of shops for 2026-27 is Rs 1432 crore, which is the lowest price on which the excise department will target to give the shops on contract for 2026-27. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !