Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: People in Bhubaneswar splurged nearly Rs 32 crore on alcohol during the festive week from Dec 25 to Dec 31, as per sources from the Excise department. The surge in sales was mainly attributed to Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, which saw a sharp rise in the consumption of foreign liquor, beer, and country liquor.

During the week-long festivities, Bhubaneswar residents consumed close to six lakh litres of alcohol, including 2.5 lakh litres of foreign liquor, 1.5 lakh litres of country liquor, and 1.78 lakh litres of beer. Excise officials linked the increase in alcohol consumption to the holiday season, colder weather, and higher demand at clubs, pubs, and off-shops.

In parallel, the Excise department carried out a special enforcement drive on December 31, resulting in the seizure of contraband worth Rs 1.43 crore. During the operation, 35 individuals were arrested, with three cases registered under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. Authorities also seized four vehicles linked to the violations.

The seized contraband included 15,879 bulk litres of illicitly distilled liquor, 758 bulk litres of duty-paid liquor, 1,40,050 bulk litres of fermented wash, 26,600 kg of gur wash, and 8 kg of bhang. Additionally, narcotics including 63 kg of ganja were also confiscated.

The Excise department’s crackdown aims to curb illegal alcohol and narcotics trade during the festive season. Authorities are continuing their efforts to maintain vigilance and enforce regulations.