Waves of tipplers in Tamil Nadu thronged wine shops across the border in Andhra Pradesh as liquor shops were reopened in the neighbouring state on Monday.
Liquor outlets on the borders of Tiruvallur district near the city were the most sought after as hundreds of people used available transport to reach the locations, which were already crowded by the locals. There were also complaints of overcharging in the AP liquor outlets, something which tipplers are forced to tolerate at Tasmac outlets in the state.
Serpentine queues could be seen in front of the liquor outlets as people vied with one another to grab bottles. However, not everyone made a successful trip.
Munusamy (name changed) of Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district, who went to Bungalow medu in Andhra Pradesh, had to return empty-handed. “There were 1,000 people waiting in the queue and it was next to impossible to get a bottle as the queue grew longer. I returned after waiting for 30 minutes,” he said.
People from Arakkonam in Ranipet district were part of the desperate trip across the state border to buy liquor after 40 days. “Though Arakkonam was at a distance of 60km, people commuted by two-wheelers through remote villages to cut short the distance and reach the liquor outlet,” said Munusamy.
Sources said the demand for liquor rose at Kanakammachatram side in Andhra Pradesh, located about 90km north of Chennai. An official said at least 20% of the crowd was from Tamil Nadu.
A Nagari resident said salesmen at the shops fleeced consumers and charge Rs 50 extra per bottle.
“Though it was crowded in the morning, the situation became normal in the evening as only expensive liquor was available. Liquor was rationed to one bottle per person but the situation was more relaxed as the number of people in the queues had come down,” he said.
Liquor outlets on the borders of Tiruvallur district near the city were the most sought after as hundreds of people used available transport to reach the locations, which were already crowded by the locals. There were also complaints of overcharging in the AP liquor outlets, something which tipplers are forced to tolerate at Tasmac outlets in the state.
Serpentine queues could be seen in front of the liquor outlets as people vied with one another to grab bottles. However, not everyone made a successful trip.
Munusamy (name changed) of Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district, who went to Bungalow medu in Andhra Pradesh, had to return empty-handed. “There were 1,000 people waiting in the queue and it was next to impossible to get a bottle as the queue grew longer. I returned after waiting for 30 minutes,” he said.
People from Arakkonam in Ranipet district were part of the desperate trip across the state border to buy liquor after 40 days. “Though Arakkonam was at a distance of 60km, people commuted by two-wheelers through remote villages to cut short the distance and reach the liquor outlet,” said Munusamy.
Sources said the demand for liquor rose at Kanakammachatram side in Andhra Pradesh, located about 90km north of Chennai. An official said at least 20% of the crowd was from Tamil Nadu.
A Nagari resident said salesmen at the shops fleeced consumers and charge Rs 50 extra per bottle.
“Though it was crowded in the morning, the situation became normal in the evening as only expensive liquor was available. Liquor was rationed to one bottle per person but the situation was more relaxed as the number of people in the queues had come down,” he said.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
City
Covid-19 crisis: Congress leader flouts lockdown norms, sends water tanker in Port Blair 
Covid-19: With record 527 fresh cases in a day, Tamil Nadu's count rises to 3,550 
If social distancing norms are violated, Delhi govt will seal the area and revoke all relaxations: Arvind Kejriwal 
Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane gives stern warning to Pakistan
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app