New Delhi: As the festive season begins in August, city officials in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have shared a list of upcoming dry days. On these days, all places that sell alcohol—such as bars, pubs, restaurants, liquor shops, and wine stores—will stay shut. The rule will be in effect for the full 24 hours.
Dry days in Delhi
The Delhi government has declared two back-to-back dry days this week. All liquor shops in the city will remain closed on August 15 for Independence Day and on August 16 for Janmashtami. An order by the Excise Department, as reported by Hindustan Times, confirmed that shops under all licence types must follow this rule.
The same order also mentioned that liquor shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, and clubs will not be allowed to sell alcohol on October 2, which is Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, apart from August 15.
Dry days in Mumbai
In Maharashtra, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated from August 27, and because of this, the state government has released rules for alcohol bans in Mumbai and nearby areas. Apart from Independence Day on August 15, more dry days have been announced by the State Excise Department.
Liquor sales will be stopped on August 15 and August 16, due to Independence Day and Janmashtami. Mumbai will also have a complete alcohol ban on August 27 and September 6, which are the beginning and ending days of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
During this 10-day long festival, which ends on Anant Chaturdashi (Visarjan Day) on September 6, dry days could also be declared on September 5 due to large crowds and public processions. If needed, the sale of alcohol may be stopped for all 10 days. This means that no bars, restaurants, or licensed shops will be allowed to sell alcohol during the festival period.
It is important to note that there is no rule against drinking alcohol in private on dry days, but buying it legally will not be allowed.
Dry days in Bengaluru
Bengaluru officials have also planned two dry days next week. Alcohol sales will not be allowed on August 15 (Independence Day) and August 16 (Janmashtami). For these two days, a 48-hour ban will apply across the city at all bars, restaurants, and licensed liquor shops.
Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on August 27, is also expected to be marked as a dry day in Bengaluru. Just like in Mumbai, officials in Bengaluru might announce more restrictions around the time of the idol immersion on September 6.