Panjim:The transport ministry of Goa issues directive to shut bars along the highways that pass via state.This initative has been taken to curb accidents.

This comes as a big blow for thousands of bar owners and liquor vendors in Goa. 4,500 The number of acccidents , Goa reported last year 

In a bid to curb road accidents and resulting fatalities, ministry secretary Vijay Chibber has asked the Goa government to close down bars set up along the three national highways which pass through the state.

“Since prevention is always better than cure, it is requested to issue instructions to remove liquor shops along National Highways and ensure that no licence is issued to liquor vendors along national highways,” Chhibber said.

Goa, known for cheap and easily available liquor, has nearly 7,000 bars and liquor vends, a fourth of which are along the national highways that traverse through the state.

An official at the state excise department said that while the ministry directive is in the right “spirit”, it may be realistically difficult to enforce. “Liquor shops and bars in Goa have been around  not be easy. Unless we get explicit instructions, we may not crack down hard”.