Noida's liquor sales surged to Rs 27 crore

Noida and Greater Noida saw a 17% increase in liquor sales ahead of Holi, totaling Rs 27 crore over three days. Beer was the top seller, followed by country-made and foreign liquors. Peak sales reached Rs 11 crore on March 13. Sales of bhang also rose, with one shop reporting Rs 1.8 lakh in sales, up from Rs 1.2 lakh last year. The increase in demand led to shortages at some stores, as the new excise policy caused stock depletion. After Holi, liquor sales are expected to return to normal levels of Rs 4-5 crore per day. The excise department monitored sales closely, conducting inspections and ensuring compliance with pricing and regulations. The number of liquor shops will decrease from 564 to 501 under the new policy starting April 1.