Jamshedpur Shops See Heavy Rush
Jamshedpur: The festival of colours drove a massive surge in liquor consumption across Jharkhand, as the state recorded unprecedented sales this Holi. Figures from the Excise Department show that consumers purchased nearly ₹110 crore worth of alcohol, setting a new record and shattering previous years’ benchmarks.
Ranchi Leads the Surge
The state capital, Ranchi, topped the charts with residents spending approximately ₹23 crore on liquor. Demand spiked sharply for all categories, including foreign liquor, IMFL, country liquor, and beer, keeping outlets crowded well into the night.
Crowds and Record Business
Excise officials noted that demand climbed days before the festival, peaking on Holi eve and the day of the celebrations.
- Early Morning Queues: Residents lined up outside shops from dawn to stock up for the festivities.
- Brisk Retail: Retailers reported non-stop sales throughout the day.
- City Impact: Major hubs like Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and Bokaro also saw a significant rise in sales, significantly boosting state revenue. Local traders described the business as some of the highest they have ever recorded.
Enforcement and Safety Measures
While the revenue surge cheered traders, the administration stayed alert to keep celebrations safe.
- Excise Drives: The Excise Department intensified enforcement and raided several locations to stop the illegal manufacturing and sale of alcohol.
- Seizures: Teams seized quantities of illicit liquor and penalized those involved in illegal trade to prevent the spread of spurious alcohol.
Despite these strict checks, the festive spirit stayed high. The ₹110 crore milestone highlights how sharply consumption scales up during major festivals, reflecting both the intensity of the celebrations and the resulting economic impact.
