Authorities in Noida are preparing for a regulated festive season, having issued a significant number of temporary permits for alcohol service during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. The city's excise department has rolled out a streamlined process for obtaining these licences, with a notable shift towards community events in residential complexes.
Licence Breakdown for Festive Days
The department has granted a total of 176 occasional party licences valid for the key celebration dates: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Each licence permits alcohol service for a 12-hour period on the specified date. The current distribution shows 56 licences for December 24 and 59 for December 25. For the year-end, 33 licences have been issued for December 30 and 28 for December 31. Officials anticipate these numbers for the 30th and 31st will increase as more applications are processed.
A key feature this season is the ease of access. Applicants can secure a licence on the same day through the excise department's official online portal, facilitating last-minute party planning.
RWAs and Societies Lead the Celebrations
The data reveals a clear trend: community celebrations are driving demand. Approximately 80% of the total licences, which translates to around 140 permits, have been issued to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and gated housing societies. These are for planned community events in common areas where alcohol will be served.
The remaining licences have been granted to commercial establishments like restaurants and banquet halls that do not possess permanent bar licences but wish to serve alcohol during festive parties. For such venues, the cost for a 12-hour occasional bar licence is set at Rs 11,000.
New Policy and Reduced Fees Boost Compliance
This season operates under the new Uttar Pradesh Excise Policy for 2024–25, which introduced separate categories for private and community events. Previously, both were grouped together. This change has led to reduced fees, encouraging more organisers to operate within the legal framework.
For individuals hosting private, non-commercial house parties, the fee for a 12-hour licence is now Rs 1,000, a substantial drop from the previous Rs 4,000. RWAs or housing societies organising parties in community centres or common areas now pay Rs 4,000 for the licence, reduced from Rs 11,000.
"After the reduction in licence costs, there was a two-fold increase in the number of RWA and society events coming under the legal framework of the excise department and taking the occasional licence," stated GB Nagar district excise officer Subodh Kumar.
To cater to the increased demand during the festivities, liquor shops across Noida and Ghaziabad will extend their operating hours. They will remain open for one additional hour on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 30, and New Year's Eve. Simultaneously, the department will deploy enforcement teams to monitor celebrations and curb any unauthorised sale or service of alcohol.
