Lucknow, May 19 -- Approximately 600 new retail liquor shops are expected to be opened in Uttar Pradesh in the coming months. The Excise Department is estimating the population shifts to the outskirts of major cities over the past year. Only after this will the exact number of new shops be determined.
The decision was taken in view of the increased demand in new colonies. The department aims to meet the demand for foreign liquor, beer, and other liquors in recently established residential colonies. This will also increase revenue in the 2026-27 financial year. Since March 31, many shopkeepers have left the liquor business citing financial infeasibility.
There were 27,308 liquor shops in the state. Of these, 421 model shops, country liquor...