The Punjab government has begun shifting temporary kiosks and street vendors selling meat, liquor, eggs, tobacco and other non-vegetarian items from Amritsar’s old walled city, days after the historic area was officially declared a holy city, marking the start of the Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban.
Officials from the Amritsar Municipal Corporation said a detailed ground survey identified nearly 150 temporary shops and stalls operating within the walled city limits. These include meat sellers, pan-bidi kiosks, and carts selling boiled eggs, particularly around Old Telephone Exchange near Shastri Market and Katra Jaimal Singh.
Survey Flags Multiple Sensitive Zones
Municipal officials said vendors selling non-vegetarian food and tobacco products were found across several key entry points, including Hathi Gate, Lohgarh Gate, Hakiman Gate, Bhagtanwala Gate, Guruwali Gate, Guru Bazaar, Lahori Gate and Namak Mandi. These areas fall under the strict enforcement zone of the Amritsar walled city.
Authorities clarified that the exercise focuses primarily on temporary and unauthorised stalls, with teams working to ensure minimal disruption while enforcing the new rules.
Hotels Near Golden Temple Unaffected
Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association president Surinder Singh said licensed hotels and guest houses near the Golden Temple will not be impacted by the move. He added that excise authorities have not issued liquor licences within the walled city limits, though some illegal sales were reported earlier.
“The majority of hotels here already follow religious sensitivities. The Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban does not affect around 650 hotels and guest houses catering to pilgrims,” Singh said.
Traders Seek Rehabilitation Plan
However, the move has triggered concern among traders. Wholesale fish trader Yuvraj Singh said nearly 60,000 people are connected to the fish trade in Amritsar, supplying markets across Punjab and neighbouring states.
He warned that sudden relocation without rehabilitation could lead to temporary unemployment and supply chain disruptions. Restaurants and eateries dependent on fish markets in the old city may also suffer losses under the Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban, he added.
Holy City Status and State Policy
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government recently declared parts of Amritsar, Talwindi Sabo and Sri Anandpur Sahib as holy cities. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the decision on December 21, following which the sale of meat, fish, alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicants was prohibited in these areas, formalising the Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban.
FAQs
Q: What is the Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban?
A: It is a state-enforced ban on the sale of meat, liquor, fish and tobacco within Amritsar’s walled city after it was declared a holy city.
Q: Who is affected by the Amritsar walled city meat liquor ban?
A: Temporary kiosks, street vendors and unauthorised stalls selling restricted items within the walled city limits.
Q: Are hotels near the Golden Temple affected?
A: No. Most hotels do not serve liquor or non-vegetarian food and remain unaffected.
Q: Will traders be rehabilitated after relocation?
A: Traders have urged the government to announce a rehabilitation plan, though no official framework has been confirmed yet.
