STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Guwahati has witnessed a decline in alcohol consumption in 2024, despite a significant increase in the number of liquor shops and bars in and around the city. According to the Excise Department, the city consumed 2.44 crore litres of liquor till November 2024, a noticeable drop from the 2.74 crore litres recorded during the same period in 2023.
Whiskey remains the city’s most preferred choice of alcohol, with 1.33 crore bulk litres (BL) of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold in 2024 till November. Beer sales stood at 93.53 lakh BL, while country spirit accounted for 16.73 lakh BL. In comparison, 2023 saw higher sales figures, with 1.41 crore BL of IMFL, 94.21 lakh BL of beer, and 11.46 lakh BL of country spirit, totalling 2.47 crore BL.
A source from the Excise Department attributed this to the continued popularity of whiskey to local preferences. “Whiskey is the most preferred alcohol in the city,” the source told The Sentinel. Despite the decline in overall consumption, whiskey remains the top choice among Guwahati’s residents.
The reasons behind the decline in alcohol consumption remain unclear, but experts suggest factors like increased awareness, changing habits, or economic considerations might be influencing the shift. The opening of numerous new liquor outlets and bars in 2024 was expected to boost sales, but the opposite trend has been observed.
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