Even after nearly a decade of prohibition in Bihar, alcohol consumption hasn’t disappeared—it has simply gone underground. Instead of stopping the trade, the ban has led to the rise of a hidden network where liquor is bought, sold, and delivered using coded language.
In areas like Kankarbagh in Patna, asking for “pure milk” no longer refers to dairy—it’s a discreet way to order premium Scotch whisky. Similarly, words like “sonapapdi” are used for high-end liquor, while terms such as “samosewala” or “grocerywala” often refer to delivery agents.
A hidden delivery system
Behind this coded system is a well-organised network of couriers, many of them young, who deliver liquor door-to-door. These deliveries are often disguised as food or grocery orders. Some even operate through messaging platforms like WhatsApp, using innocent-sounding group names such as “Health & Fitness.” Orders like “protein shake” are quickly understood and fulfilled.
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One delivery agent described his work simply: “I deliver happiness,” referring to smuggled liquor brought in from neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
A growing underground economy
Bihar has been officially “dry” since 2016, when prohibition was introduced under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. The policy aimed to reduce alcoholism, domestic violence, and poverty, and was strongly supported by women’s groups.
However, while legal liquor sales vanished, demand remained. This has led to the rise of a massive black market, estimated to be worth ₹25,000–30,000 crore.
Smuggling gets more creative
To avoid detection, smugglers have become highly innovative. Liquor has been found hidden inside plastic chairs, vegetable loads, fuel tanks, gas cylinders, and even ambulances. In one case, a government-labelled water tanker was caught transporting hundreds of cartons of whisky.
Economic and social impact
Before the ban, thousands of people depended on licensed liquor shops for their livelihood. Their closure affected around 30,000–40,000 jobs. At the same time, enforcement has been strict—about 16 lakh arrests have been made and crores of litres of alcohol seized over the years.
Unintended consequences
The ban has also led to some serious side effects. With alcohol harder to access, many people have turned to other substances like drugs or cough syrups. More dangerously, the spread of illegal and spurious liquor has caused several deaths in districts such as Siwan, Begusarai, and East Champaran.
A policy under debate
Today, Bihar’s prohibition policy remains controversial. While many still support it for its social benefits, critics argue that it has failed to stop drinking and instead created a thriving underground market.
The debate continues under the current leadership of Samrat Choudhary, with one side defending the ban as a social reform and the other pointing to a growing illegal network that is becoming increasingly difficult to control.
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