States including Karnataka mull online alcohol delivery pilot project

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Several Indian states, including New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala, are considering pilot projects to permit home delivery of alcohol through online platforms like Swiggy, BigBasket, Zomato, and Blinkit.

According to industry executives, the initial phase is expected to focus on low-alcohol beverages such as beer, wine, and liqueurs. State authorities are gathering feedback from e-commerce platfor ms and spirits manufacturers about the potential benefits and drawbacks of online alcohol delivery.

An executive noted, "This is to cater to a growing expat population, especially in larger cities, changing profiles of consumers who perceive moderate alcohol-content spirits as recreational drinking along with meals, and women and senior citizens who have flagged buying from traditional liquor vends and shop-front experiences as unpleasant.''

Online delivery models ensure thorough transaction records, age verification, and adherence to legal limits. Dinker Vashisht, vice president of corporate affairs at Swiggy, stated that online tech stacks synchronise with regulatory and excise requirements, ensuring adherence to timings, dry days, and zonal delivery guardrails.