Make it a double: Consumption of imported booze soars in Gurugram
Consumption of foreign spirits doubled in Gurugram over the last year, according to excise department data — a trend experts ascribed to changing lifestyles and increasing incomes.
The consumption of imported beer and foreign spirits doubled in Gurugram over the last year, according to data from the excise department accessed by HT — a trend experts ascribed to changing lifestyles, increasing disposable incomes and overseas exposure of residents.
While 2,47,296 cases of imported beer were sold in Gurugram in 2016-17, it jumped to 5,37,664 cases in 2017-18, an increase of 117%. (HT/Photo for representation)
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While 2,47,296 cases of imported beer were sold in the city in the 2016-17 financial year, this jumped to 5,37,664 cases in 2017-18, an increase of 117%.
The sale of foreign sprits over the same period grew by 133% from 158,696 cases to 369,545 cases.
There was also an increase in consumption of domestic beer and Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) over this period, but it was 36% and 17%, respectively.
To be sure, the base for both these categories was already very high with more than 35 million cases of domestic beer and 26 million cases of IMFL sold in 2016-17.
This sharp increase in the sale of imported alcohol bears out on the ground as well, with pubs and bars making more international beer brands available to consumers.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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