PURNIMA BISHT | DEHRADUN
Dehradun residents have welcomed the police’s action against drinking in public places and drunk driving, saying it has brought much-needed order to the city. Over the past six months, the police have taken action against 5,822 individuals for consuming alcohol in public places and arrested more than 1,858 people for driving under the influence. A total of Rs 17.21 lakh has been collected in fines from violators, as per the police. While the police had been conducting regular checks, the campaign gained significant momentum after a tragic accident near ONGC Chowk on November 11, 2024, in which six young people lost their lives.
The victims were allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash, prompting authorities to take stricter measures against drinking in open spaces and reckless driving under the influence. According to many locals, the impact of the crackdown has been noticeable, with fewer people drinking in public and fewer intoxicated individuals roaming the streets. Many residents, especially women and young girls, have welcomed this change, saying it has made their daily commutes safer and more comfortable. A class XII student Ashima shared how unsettling it used to be to pass by liquor shops on her way home from tuition in the evening. “We used to walk home from East Canal Road to Sahastradhara Road. There were always drunk men outside near Chunabhatta area, many of them much older, who would make comments at me and my friends. It made us uncomfortable but we had no choice but to pass through quietly. Sometimes, some uncles would intervene but we feared retaliation since we had to take that route daily. Now, liquor shop owners do not allow people to linger, saying the police have warned them. I hope this continues,” she said.
A housewife Deepa echoed similar sentiments. She said that her two tenants, both in their late twenties, along with her son, frequently drank in a nearby park on Raipur Road. However, they stopped after being caught and fined by the police in December. “They were ashamed after the incident. I am glad the police took this step because it forced them to reflect on their actions,” she said.
Sahastradhara Road resident Surya Bhatt has also observed a shift in behaviour among his friends and relatives. He claimed that many of them now refrain from drinking excessively at clubs, fearing police checkpoints. “Unfortunately, most people do not follow civic sense unless there is a fear of consequences. The regular police checks and media reports about arrests and fines have created that fear. It may not be the ideal way to bring change but it is working and I think it should continue,” he stated. Meanwhile, 33-year-old Premnagar resident, Subham Thapa (name changed), admitted that he and his friends previously drank in parked cars or secluded areas, as they could not afford bars or drink at home due to family restrictions. However, they have stopped since being caught by the police in January. “The police make videos as evidence and it was humiliating. We had no choice but to stop drinking in public spaces,” he said.
The Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh told The Pioneer that the campaign has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. “We get thank-you messages from parents and senior citizens who appreciate the action against public drinking, as it had started creating chaos in many areas. Of course, some people complain, asking where they will go to drink, but rules are rules. Most violators we find are in Raipur and Premnagar areas. This drive will continue throughout the year,” he asserted.
