On New Year’s Eve, people in Noida and Ghaziabad spent a whopping Rs 14 crore on liquor, marking a 27% increase in sales compared to the previous year. The excise department’s data shows that about 3.4 lakh litres of alcohol were consumed, a 14% rise from 2023’s 3 lakh litres.
In Noida, consumption included 1.4 lakh litres of country-made liquor (a 12% rise from 2023), 1.2 lakh litres of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), and 82,000 litres of beer, which was 9.3% more than last year. Meanwhile, in Ghaziabad, alcohol sales hit Rs 7.8 crore, up 7.4% from the previous year, with 1.4 lakh litres sold, including 69,300 litres of country-made liquor and 34,000 litres of beer.
The increase in liquor sales was also seen during the Christmas holiday period, with Noida’s excise department earning Rs 13.7 crore from December 24-25, a 16.5% increase over 2023. Ghaziabad’s sales were also up by 8.33% during those two days.
Typically, liquor sales hover around Rs 4-5 crore on regular days, but festive occasions like New Year’s Eve and holidays drive the significant boost. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government allowed liquor shops to stay open an extra hour (until 11 PM) on December 24, 25, and 31 to handle the surge in demand.
Noida has 564 liquor shops and 155 licensed bars, while Ghaziabad has 525 liquor shops and 35 bars.
