Delhi metro commuters who travel to Noida with 2 liquor bottles may be in trouble

The development comes as excise regulations in Uttar Pradesh prohibit the import of liquor from outside the state, citing a loss to the state government’s revenue.

Delhi Metro Liquor Latest Update: Just a day after the DMRC allowed two sealed bottles of alcohol for passengers to enter the Delhi metro, commuters landing on the Delhi metro with sealed liquor bottles in Noida in Uttar Pradesh could be in trouble, excise officials warned Saturday.

The development comes as excise regulations in Uttar Pradesh prohibit the import of liquor from outside the state, citing a loss to the state government’s revenue.

Officials gave details and told PTI that the current rule allows the importation of only one unsealed bottle from neighboring Delhi or Haryana either by metro or road.

“While the Delhi Metro has allowed commuters to carry two sealed bottles of liquor, the rules of the Uttar Pradesh Excise Department will apply in UP territory regardless of any changes in Delhi,” Subodh Srivastava, the Excise Officer of Noida District, to PTI.

The officer further stated that the Excise Department will step up vigilance at subway stations and take legal action against those caught with sealed liquor bottles brought from outside UP.

“We will also try to make people aware of the excise rules in UP to avoid inconvenience to the commuters,” said Srivastava.

Liquor is usually cheaper in Haryana and Delhi compared to Uttar Pradesh. On several occasions in the past, people have been arrested for bringing sealed liquor bottles from Delhi to Noida by road.

An official said that in such a situation, action will be taken against an offender under Section 63 of the Excise Act (Punishment for unlawful import, export, transportation, manufacture, possession, sale), which is a non-voluntary criminal offense.

Carrying alcohol was until recently banned in the Delhi metro except on the Airport Express Line and allowing alcohol through the network is part of the policy to bring uniformity, the DMRC said on Friday.

According to the Delhi Metro, a committee made up of CISF and DMRC officials has reviewed the list of items that can be carried on trains.

However, the subway operator has requested that passengers maintain proper decorum while traveling and warned that any commuter behaving indecently while under the influence of alcohol will take appropriate action under the law.