Hyderabad: Liquor sales in Telangana have hit record levels ahead of the Dasara festival, crossing ₹1,000 crore in just four days between September 26 and October 1.
The rush was driven by two reasons — festive demand and the closure of liquor shops on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti). To avoid shortages, both shop owners and consumers stocked up in advance. Shops lifted massive supplies from government liquor depots, while customers purchased in bulk for parties and family gatherings.
According to the Excise Department, shops picked up liquor worth ₹260 crore on September 28, ₹279 crore on September 29, ₹301 crore on September 30, and ₹320 crore on October 1. In September alone, total liquor sales reached ₹2,715 crore till the 29th, with an additional ₹620 crore in just two days (Sept 30–Oct 1), showing a sharp surge in demand.
Dasara traditionally fuels high liquor consumption as celebrations stretch over three days — the day before, the festival day, and the day after.
This year’s numbers have already outpaced last year. During the entire nine-day festival in 2023, liquor sales stood at ₹1,057 crore. In 2025, that mark was crossed in only four days.
Liquor sales in Telangana have been steadily rising since the state’s formation in 2014. From ₹10,000 crore in 2014–15, sales have climbed to an estimated ₹34,600 crore in 2024–25. Recent figures include ₹35,145 crore in 2022–23, ₹30,783 crore in 2021–22, and ₹27,288 crore in 2020–21.
