Bevco opens its biggest premium liquor outlet at Vyttila Metro station

Kochi: Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) on Friday launched its ‘super premium' liquor outlet, the biggest across the state, at Vyttila Metro station. All premium brands are available at ‘High Spirits - A Bevco Boutique', the fully air-conditioned 4,600sq ft outlet, located at the ground floor.Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) MD Loknath Behra inaugurated the outlet by buying a whisky and handing it over to excise commissioner M R Ajith Kumar. "Extremely happy that a Bevco outlet of international standards has been opened at Vyttila Metro station, which provides an unparalleled connectivity as a transit hub. The initiative is part of a broader vision to transform Metro stations into vibrant commercial hubs rather than mere transit points," Loknath Behra said. Last April, KMRL and Bevco signed an agreement to start premium liquor outlets at Vyttila and Vadekkekota Metro stations. The KMRL is leasing out commercial spaces at its Metro stations and Water Metro terminals as part of enhancing non-revenue income. While the excise department gave the nod for opening the outlet at Vyttila station, the licence for Vadakkekotta station is still "in the process". High Spirits is the third super premium outlet launched by Bevco after the ones at Thrissur and Kozhikode. The authorities expect increased ridership for Kochi Metro following the outlet opening. "We hope it will give people of Kochi a super-premium experience. With a secure and world-class shopping environment backed by 24/7 CCTV surveillance, the boutique aims to elevate Kochi's image as a modern destination for MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events," Bevco MD Harshita Attaluri said. A customer can purchase up to three litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor, two litres of Foreign Made Foreign Liquor and 3.5 litres of beer. The store will remain open from 10am to 9pm and all modern payment methods will be accepted, a Bevco official said. Meanwhile, the consumers are permitted to carry sealed liquor bottles in Metro, however the public alcohol consumption or travelling with opened liquor bottles is strictly prohibited, sources said.