Liquor of Rs 14 cr sold in Noida ahead of Holi, highest since pandemic

Liquor worth around Rs 14 crore was sold across Noida and Greater Noida in the two days ahead of Holi, after subdued sales since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gautam Buddh Nagar Excise Department officials said on Friday.

In the run-up to Holi last year, the revenue earned from liquor sales stood around Rs 11.5 crore, while liquor worth approximately Rs 9 crore was sold on December 30 and 31, they said.

On March 6 and 7, around 4.20 lakh beer cans were sold in the district, while 1.35 lakh liquor bottles, including foreign liquor varieties, were also sold during the period, according to official data.

Also, an estimated 10 lakh 250 ml pouches of 'Desi' (country-made) liquor were sold on the two days ahead of the festival, the data showed.

Last year, the approximate sales of country liquor (250 ml pouch) stood at 6 lakh, foreign liquor at 75,000 bottles, and beer cans at 3 lakh, with total revenue reaching around Rs 11.5 crore, according to corresponding data.

With the tot