THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over 400 defunct beer and wine parlours and bars in the state are pinning hopes of resuming business as the Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that ban on liquor outlets within 500 metres from highways need not apply to cities. The state government is also keenly awaiting final orders of the apex court as there has been pressure to denotify highways in cities as done by Chandigarh and some other states.

Since the SC on Wednesday maintained a positive stand towards denotifying highways within cities, the state government also positive. The court is scheduled to hear detailed arguments on the matter on July 11. Hotel industry sources said that out of the 560 odd beer and wine parlours and bars that were now remaining shut, over 400 may be able to open if norms are relaxed. One-third of them could be in the three or four-star categories and hence may even get bar licence under the new liquor policy.

About 15 retail liquor outlets of Kerala State Beverages Corporation may also get the benefit. Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association leader D Rajkumar told DC that about 400 to 500 hotels might get the advantage of any relaxation on either side of highways within the city or municipal limits. Of the 810 beer and wine parlours and bar hotels that functioned till March this year, only 150 beer and wine parlours and 100 bars are now open, he added.

Beverages Corporation managing director H. Venkatesh said the corporation had already shifted most of its outlets that were within 500 metres from highways. Hence any further relaxations could only benefit around 15. Of the 270 odd Bevco outlets, 210 are now functional. Only around 15 were lying shut because of the new norms whereas the remaining were shut either due to public protests or court cases or other technical issues, he said.

Government sources said it was also awaiting SC directives on denotifying highways in cities and towns. “Let’s see if the court modifies its earlier order and allows bars. In that case, the state government need not denotify the roads. Otherwise, the government may consider de-notifying them,” said an official.