Bengaluru traffic jams are back as liquor stores open

Bengaluru: As booze lovers thronged stores hours before shutters went up and made no secret of their celebratory mood, the traffic in Bengaluru was also back on Monday, May 4 morning.

The Karnataka government relaxed restrictions on certain liquor outlets, which have been closed since March 22, following the Janata Curfew and later the nationwide lockdown on March 25.

People began forming queues outside shops as early as 5 am, with hopes of beating the crowds and most of them were not wearing masks or maintaining social distance.

However, long lines snaked along the streets and roads outside liquor shops in various parts of the city, including on Indiranagar’s 100-feet Road, central Bengaluru on MG Road and Cunningham Road in Vasanth Nagar.

Policemen have been deployed at liquor shops to maintain social distance. Blocking of all major roads and flyovers and barricades is continuing in the city.