Is it legal to carry liquor bottle in Delhi Metro? Know the strict rules of DMRC and Excise Department before travelling.

Lakhs of passengers travel daily in Delhi Metro, which is considered the lifeline of Delhi-NCR. There is often confusion in the minds of passengers regarding what is allowed and what is prohibited in the metro. Many questions are asked especially regarding liquor. As per the official rules of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and security agency CISF, carrying liquor bottles in Delhi Metro trains is completely legal. However, this permission is not without conditions; For this, DMRC and the excise departments of the respective states have set very strict rules, ignoring which can lead to legal trouble or jail.

As per DMRC guidelines, an adult passenger can carry a maximum of 2 bottles of wine Can carry:

• The bottle should be completely sealed: The lid or seal of the liquor bottle should not be unsealed during travel. If the bottle is found open during security checking (X-ray machine or CISF search), it will not be allowed to be taken inside the Metro premises at all.

• For personal use: This permission applies only to passengers carrying it for personal consumption. It is illegal to carry alcohol in bulk or for the purpose of commercial carriage.

The freedom to carry a bottle of liquor does not mean freedom to drink alcohol under any circumstances.

• Heavy fines and punishment for drinking: Opening or consuming liquor in the metro train coach, platform, concourse, stairs or any part of the metro station premises is strictly prohibited.

• Legal action on inappropriate behaviour: If a passenger is found under the influence of alcohol or misbehaves, hooligans or misbehaves with co-passengers, an immediate financial penalty can be imposed on him under the Metro Operation and Management Act. Apart from this, CISF and Delhi Metro Police can take him into custody and issue challan under criminal sections.

Although the DMRC rule allows 2 sealed bottles on the entire metro network (including the Airport Express Line), when crossing state borders the ‘Excise Law’ of the respective state comes into effect:

1. Uttar Pradesh (Noida/Ghaziabad): According to the Uttar Pradesh Excise Act, bringing liquor into the UP border from any other state (Delhi or Haryana) falls in the prohibited category. If after purchasing liquor from Delhi and getting down at the metro station of Noida or Ghaziabad, if caught during the checking of UP Excise Department, the bottle may be confiscated and you may have to face fine or legal action on the charges of smuggling.

2. Haryana (Gurugram/Faridabad): Similarly, under Haryana Excise rules, there are restrictions on interstate liquor transportation.

If you are traveling within Delhi, you can travel without any worries with 2 sealed bottles. But if you are entering the UP border from Delhi, it is wise to avoid carrying liquor to avoid complications with local excise rules.