Shiv Sena neta proposes relief from liquor ban

Navi Mumbai: Shiv Sena corporator Kishor Patkar has proposed that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) takes over the highways to bail out hotels that are facing losses due to ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of any highway. The civic administration has been asked to prepare a proposal in the general assembly meeting to take over the upkeep of roads from the government.

“Both national and state highways pass through Navi Mumbai and the sale of liquor has been hit due to the SC directive. NMMC must take steps to bail out the tax-paying hotel industry from this loss, said Patkar. However, civic chief, Dr N Ramaswami said, “The SC ban on sale of liquor close to the highways is applicable to the entire country and it is doubtful if it can be bypassed,” he said. Another official, too, has ruled out the possibility stating that the Thane Belapur highway is with MMRDA and the Sion Panvel Highway is under litigation over toll charges .