Now, liquor permit on arrival at Vadodara, Bhuj airports

Vadodara, Jan 18: Gujarat government has decided to start issuing liquor permits to foreign as well as domestic travellers arriving at Vadodara and Bhuj airports.

"Foreign, domestic tourists and other visitors, landing at Vadodara and Bhuj airports, will just have to approach the tourism department counters set up there to seek liquor permits. The process will start from next week as orders have already been issued in this regard," Sanjay Kaul, Commissioner of Gujarat Tourism Department, said.

The department had initiated a similar move a few years back at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. "Now, in addition to Ahmedabad, airports in Vadodara and Bhuj will be added to the list, taking the total number of airports in Gujarat to three from where the visitors will get the liquor permits on arrival," Kaul said.

Gujarat has a total prohibition policy and liquor permit is issued to individuals only on the health ground. "We have taken the initiative to ensure that liquor is not an impediment in the growth of tourism sector in the state. The government has taken this move as it wants to get rid of the time consuming procedures involved in giving liquor permits to air travellers," another government official said. As per the new move, the visitors can get necessary forms, and file it along with the permit fee with Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) officials at the airports.

"A foreign passenger only needs to submit a photocopy of the passport, while domestic travellers will have to give their identity proof. Once the licence is given, they are free to buy alcohol from any authorised liquor shops across the state," the official said.

PTI