Gurugram RWAs complain about open drinking, raise security concerns

Residents said that people drinking in groups outside shops and in cars creates a sense of insecurity while visiting nearby markets, particularly when they are out with their families.

The problem of open drinking in Gurugram is not restricted to liquor vends and their vicinity, but also extends to residential areas. Many residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) have complained of open drinking to Gurugram police and have raised security concerns about stepping out of their house after dark.

People can be seen consuming beer and hard liquor in the open, near residential societies on MG Road, gurugram. Most liquor vends in sectors 45, 38, 56, Palam Vihar, MG Road, Golf Course Road and other areas are close to the residential societies. Residents say people have been spotted drinking in cars, on pavements, outside grocery shops and in parking areas. (Parveen Kumar/ HT Photo)

Residents said that people drinking in groups outside shops and in cars creates a sense of insecurity while visiting nearby markets, particularly when they are out with their families.

“Drunk men block the road leading to our society, Sahara Grace, near Sahara Mall on MG Road. Women who return late from work have often complained to us that the men block the road and drink in their cars with their doors open,” said Ram Bhatia, president, RWA, Sahara Grace.

Residents across the city alleged that the police and civic authorities are aware of the issue and the places where such illegal activities are taking place, but do little to curb the practice.

“There were many incidents wherein residents had to take the help of police to ensure that hooligans don’t drink on the vacant plot in DLF Phase-2. It is difficult to even cross the stretch during late evenings near the Qutab Plaza market. Women have stopped going to the market as there have been multiple instances of molestation,” Savita Choudhary, a resident of DLF Phase-1, said.

Police said they have received around 116 complaints against drinking in public spaces in the last three months.

KK Rao, the commissioner of police, said he will take prompt action and ensure that station house officers (SHOs) patrol these spots starting Friday. “I will assign the task and will take a report from each of them weekly. Open drinking will not be allowed,” Rao said.

Most liquor vends are close to the residential societies along MG Road, sectors 45, 38 and 56, Palam Vihar and Golf Course Road, among others. Residents say people have been spotted drinking in cars, on pavements, outside grocery shops and in parking lots in these areas.

“The parties start from 9pm and go until 2am. The problem has reached such an alarming proportion that residents dread to even get out of their houses in the evening,” said Ruchika Sethi Takkar, social activist and a resident of Nirvana Country in Sector 50.

RWA members of South City-2 said they often spot underage students buying liquor from vends in their locality and consuming it in the open.

At Sushant Lok 2, former RWA president Joginder Singh said, “Women avoid visiting the Huda market after sunset as there are usually many inebriated men, who create a nuisance. Sometimes, they end up in a scuffle.”

During a spot check, an HT team found people consuming liquor in their car near liquor vends and residential societies along MG Road, DLF Phase 2, Sector 47, Golf Course Road, DLF 5, Sector 56 and Sector 57

Gaurav Wahi, general secretary of DLF Phase-2 RWA, said he had filed multiple complaints with the police following several drunken brawls in Central Arcade, which residents often visit in late evening for the eateries. “It is difficult to visit the shopping area, which is the closest for us, as people have encroached the corners and are openly drinking. We have got into a tiff with them several times but to no avail,” Wahi said.

“The illegal activities cannot be curbed. We have been complaining about this for the last three years, but the local leaders are supporting them. The lane to our blocks are encroached by a large number of people, who are drinking in open in front of Vyapar Kendra. We feel helpless as we cannot do anything about it and we are dependent on the police, who are not able to curb the menace,” Sudhir Sachdeva, a member of the collegium of Sushant Lok-1 RWA, said.

Residents alleged that those indulging in such practices take to residential areas as these are safer. They alleged that besides consuming alcohol, the offenders are often seen betting and getting into fights over the bets.

“The police are present hardly a few metres away, but they are mere spectators. It is shocking to read in the newspapers that the police arrested people for drinking in open even though the situation remains the same,” Nilesh Tandon, president of Fresco Apartment RWA, Sector 50, said.

Residents of Nirvana Country, South City-2 and Malibu Town alleged that people start drinking in the open in their areas from late afternoon to evening hours, as there are multiple liquor vends and vacant plots in these areas.

“With every passing day, it is becoming more difficult to cross the stretches during the evenings, as people don’t only play loud music, but also misbehave with residents,” Alka Dalal, a resident of Malibu Towne, Sector 47, said.

Residents said that women are sexually harassed when they object to such activities. “My domestic help was molested twice while she was returning home by the group of youths drinking in open. If you complain, they threaten your life,” Dalal said.

The residents said they have complained to the police in person and also informed on the 100 helpline, but no action has been taken.

On the other hand, the police say they are taking action against these illegal activities and these have reduced, but the ground situation is different.

Residents alleged that despite having enough power, the police do not take stringent action against the violators. “The commissioner of police should assign a task to each station house officer and should take action against them if they fail to curb the problem in their respective areas,” Deepak Bansal, a resident of Monsoon Breeze, Sector 78, said.

Bansal said only regular patrolling and monitoring can solve the issue.

The stretch on sector 69-71 has also turned into a problem area. “The isolated stretch is used by locals and there is a huge rush at the wine shop. People park their cars on road and drink openly. A large number of underage students are also seen visiting this stretch to buy and drink liquor in their cars. There is no restriction at the shop; any person can visit anytime to buy liquor,” Manju Ranjan, resident, Tulip Purple, said.

According to the police, those caught drinking are booked under the Excise Act and it is the prerogative of the judge to decide the punishment. “We take the offenders under preventive custody for creating a public nuisance,” Sumit Kuhar, deputy commissioner of police (crime), said. In most cases, the court slaps a fine of Rs500 and releases the offenders on the promise of good conduct.

RWAs have asked police and civic bodies concerned to install CCTV cameras in public spaces, particularly around liquor vends, to keep a tab on such incidents.

Residents also said that excise department, despite having enforcement staff, does very little to stop such activities.

Sneh Lata Yadav, deputy and excise taxation commissioner said that they have formed teams and upon receiving a complaint, will write to their headquarters to cancel the licences of the liquor vends.