The Odisha government has re-classified all roads within the limits of municipal corporation, municipality, notified area council, sub-divisional headquarters and tehsil headquarters as "Urban Roads."
National Highways passing through urban areas, however, will not be treated as Urban Roads, the notification issued by the works department said yesterday.
Criticising the move, Odisha Mada Mukti Abhijan leader, Prahallad Singh said in a statement, "The government's notification aims to save the liquor shops located within 500 metres from the state highways. It is a clear attempt to dilute the Supreme Court order."
The Apex Court had earlier directed all the state governments to ensure removal of liquor shops within 500 metres from National Highways and State Highways by March 31.
Acting on the Supreme Court order, the state government has closed at least 1100 liquor shops located within 500 metres from National Highways and State Highways, excise secretary B P Sethi said.
The state is likely to sustain a revenue loss of about Rs 1200 per annum, he said.
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