After a lull of more than a month, bacchus lovers in Gurugram have all the reasons to cheer as DLF Cyber Hub started serving alcohol from Thursday evening. One of most happening places in the NCR, it had gone dry after Supreme Court banned alcohol in places within 500 metres of highways.
The state excise department has granted licences to around 35 pubs and bars in Cyber Hub, which is being attributed to a new entrance that has increased its distance from highway by 1.82 kilometres. The previous entry which was through a makeshift shortcut, measured the facility to 300 metres from the highway. "To enter the Cyber Hub, one will now take a left from DLF Phase-II metro station for a U-turn and pass through an underpass for the new entry point," said an employee of Raasta, a lounge in Cyber Hub.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that this entrance was always part of the original master plan of the property and was used sparingly for entry and parking. "It was just a matter of time that they opened it completely for public. The SC verdict just speeded up the matter," the source said.
With alcohol now set to flow freely, hospitality players have heaved a massive sigh of relief. Sitting on an edge from April 1, most of them had expressed fear of shutting shop if no solution came about. Business has been at an all time low following the SC ruling as lounges, bars and pubs in Cyber Hub, which is buzzing with youngsters otherwise, registered a 60-70 per cent dip in footfall.
"We suffered losses to the tune of several lakhs but this news has brought us hope that things will improve now," said an owner who did not wish to be named.
