Delhi consumed alcohol of over Rs 500 crore for Diwali this year.
According to data and reports, Delhi witnessed a substantial upswing in alcohol sales this year, raking in a revenue exceeding Rs 525 crore during the two-week period leading up to the festival of lights.
In the 18 days preceding Diwali, a staggering 3 crore liquor bottles were sold, showcasing a remarkable surge of over 40 per cent compared to the previous year’s sales statistics.
On 11 November, which was the eve of Diwali, the capital city witnessed a notable spike in liquor purchases, totaling Rs 54 crore and signalling the pinnacle of the purchasing fervour.
In contrast to the preceding year, where approximately 2.11 crore bottles were sold during the same time frame, the average daily sales have surged from 12.44 lakh to 17.93 lakh bottles per day.
This 45 per cent escalation in daily sales underscores the heightened demand for alcoholic beverages during the festive season.
According to reports, various factors have contributed to the remarkable sales figures this year. Despite certain brands being absent due to ongoing investigations into the excise policy scam, the count of operational government liquor stores increased from about 450 last year to approximately 625 this year.
Furthermore, apprehensions regarding the quality of liquor in neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh led consumers to prefer purchasing within Delhi’s boundaries.
Officials also observed that, in addition to personal consumption, a significant number of Delhi residents engaged in bulk purchases for gifting purposes during the festive season.
The confluence of these factors contributed to the unprecedented surge in liquor sales in the capital during this Diwali season.
