Overview

• Delhi’s excise department issued an order under Rule 52 of the Delhi Excise Rules closing all liquor outlets on August 15–16, with in-room service allowed only at hotels holding L-15 or L-15F star licences.
• Bengaluru authorities will enforce a 24-hour ban on alcohol sales across bars, pubs, restaurants and retail outlets on both dates, with no exceptions.
• Mumbai’s state excise department has declared August 15 and 16 as dry days and added August 27 and September 6 for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, with further restrictions possible around visarjan.
• Officials have framed the prohibitions as measures to ensure public order and crowd safety during national and religious celebrations.
• Residents have been urged to stock up before the bans, as police and excise officers will carry out inspections and enforce penalties for violations.