Table of Contents
Delhi Desk, Delhi Magazine:
If you are planning to carry a bottle of liquor in the Delhi Metro or have attempted it before and faced entry issues, this information might be crucial for you. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has recently clarified its stance on carrying liquor in metro trains, aligning with the excise rules of the concerned state.
DMRC’s Clarification on Carrying Liquor
DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar stated, “Whatever the Delhi government has authorized us to do is allowed. The excise rules of that state apply.” In June last year, DMRC permitted passengers to carry two sealed bottles of liquor per person in metro trains. However, the Delhi government objected, citing that it contradicts state excise rules.
Metro trains in the National Capital Region (NCR) connect Delhi with cities such as Faridabad, Gurugram in Haryana, and Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida) in Uttar Pradesh.
Understanding the Excise Rules
A senior official from the Excise Department explained that according to the Excise Act, only one sealed bottle of liquor (e.g., rum, vodka, whiskey) can be carried from one state to another. Allowing any person to carry two sealed bottles is a violation of this Act.
Metro trains transport passengers between Delhi and NCR cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad. Therefore, passengers must comply with the excise laws of the respective states.
DMRC’s Stance on the Policy
DMRC Chief Executive Director Anuj Dayal said, “We are not specifying the number of bottles, whether one or two. Since we operate in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the excise laws of the respective states will apply.” Passengers are expected to adhere to the existing rules and regulations of the state excise departments concerning carrying liquor during cross-border transportation.
For instance, if a passenger boards the metro with two bottles of liquor from Delhi and travels towards Uttar Pradesh, they must be aware that only one bottle is allowed according to Uttar Pradesh’s excise rules. Therefore, carrying only one bottle is advisable.
Previous Orders and Current Regulations
Last year, the Delhi Government’s Excise Department sent a notice to DMRC after it allowed passengers to carry two sealed bottles of liquor in the metro train. Previously, carrying liquor was banned in Delhi Metro trains, except on the Airport Express Line.
In summary, while the DMRC permits carrying two sealed bottles of liquor per person within Delhi, passengers must comply with the excise rules of the respective states they travel to. Always check the local regulations to avoid any inconvenience while using the metro.