In Ghaziabad's Indirapuram, a resident returning home late at night often finds cars parked outside his condominium gate, with stereos blaring music even after midnight. Having worked in Delhi for 15 years, he has witnessed many car-o-bars but remains surprised by the blatant disregard shown by these groups. Bottles are left on bonnets, roads, and dividers, and brawls are not uncommon.
Alarming Police Data
Police data reveals that this experience is widespread. Between January 1 and May 15 this year, Uttar Pradesh Police's Dial 112 received 4,520 complaints about public drinking, leading to cases or fines against 9,885 individuals. From May 1 to 15 alone, 474 complaints were registered. Additional CP (headquarters) Keshav Chaudhary noted that most complaints came from Indirapuram and Nandgram police stations, areas with numerous high-rise societies. He stated that teams from concerned police stations took immediate action upon receiving information.
Beyond Drinking: Brawls and Threats
The nuisance extends beyond drinking, often involving brawls, eve-teasing, and threats against those who intervene. Empty bottles smashed on roads symbolize the flouting of rules. Many gather around two-wheelers, using seats as tables for glasses and snacks, while four-wheeler bonnets serve the same purpose. Offenders are not always outsiders; residents of some high-rise societies also participate and become aggressive when questioned.
Deepak Kumar, president of Ghaziabad's AOA and a resident of Amrapali Village in Indirapuram, told TOI that residents have been caught drinking outside their own society gates and threatening security guards. When guards asked some men not to drink outside the gate due to the presence of women and children, they were told, 'I will see you outside the gate after your shift.' Another regular group is autorickshaw drivers, who ferry passengers during the day but gather to drink openly at night. Kumar added that these men frequently get into fights, abusing each other and creating a nuisance that makes it difficult to pass through the stretch. They sit outside shops with no apparent fear of police patrolling, said Kavita Yadav, a resident of Indirapuram.
Impact on Residents
Sudeep Dwivedi, former AOA president of Gulmohar Garden in Raj Nagar Extension, said women no longer step out in the area after 9 pm. The core issue is the need for continuous monitoring. AOAs regularly raise concerns and file complaints, and police do respond, but the effect is short-lived. Patrolling reduces after a few days, and things return to normal, Kumar explained. The nature of residential neighborhoods compounds the problem: parked vehicles draw little suspicion unless a complaint is raised, and police rarely monitor these pockets proactively since the cars could belong to visitors.
Proximity of Liquor Shops
The proximity of liquor shops adds another layer. There are more than four alcohol shops within a 1 km radius of the society, one just 50 meters from a gate. Dwivedi noted that if his wife needs something after sunset, he goes in her place. A similar situation occurs in Crossing Republik, which has four wine shops within its police station radius. Public drinking is rampant, and police do not act, said Sanjay Kumar Jha, a resident of Gaur Global Village. When he was an AOA member, they found many residents bringing friends and colleagues to party in the open.
Food Carts Fuel the Problem
Clusters of food carts serving hot snacks further fuel the problem. Drinkers swarm these stalls with little regard for traffic, leaving vehicles parked haphazardly and causing regular congestion. Traffic goes completely haywire, Dwivedi said. When residents ask for space, egos flare. A few days ago, someone drinking inside a car swung the door open, and an e-rickshaw collided with it, leading to the drinkers beating the e-rickshaw driver badly. One resident noted that after 8 pm, the market crowd is largely men drinking inside cars. The shopkeepers and food cart owners know them well and quickly take orders, said Sunita Singh, a resident of Charms Castle.
Police Response
Police have directed shopkeepers and cart owners not to allow open drinking near their outlets, but some actively encourage it for the business it brings. Additional CP (law and order) Raj Karan Nayyar said officers respond swiftly to Dial 112 calls and book offenders under Section 34 of the Police Act. He added that they have already asked AOAs to flag anti-social elements, and police will act immediately.
