Commuters using Bengaluru’s Namma Metro may soon be allowed to carry sealed liquor bottles in their bags, following a major policy rethink by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), which has already given in-principle approval after several discussions.
Officials say the idea is to replicate the approach used by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, where passengers are permitted to transport alcohol on select stretches like the Airport Express line.
Bengaluru Metro Plans to Allow Sealed Liquor Bottles, Following Delhi Model
According to a report by The New Indian Express, Bengaluru’s rollout is likely to happen alongside the launch of the Metro’s airport link, expected to become operational in about two years.
Although the proposal has been cleared in principle, authorities clarified that the change will not take effect immediately and will require time before being formally incorporated into Metro regulations.
Once finalized, the revised rule will be added to the official Metro guidelines, and no additional state license or government clearance is required for BMRCL to amend its prohibited items list.
At present, liquor is banned on Namma Metro and grouped under “flammable items,” along with chemicals and spirits, forming part of a publicly displayed list of 58 restricted articles.
Metro authorities acknowledged receiving repeated feedback from passengers who question why sealed alcohol bottles are not treated like other purchased goods or personal luggage.
Passengers Push for Relaxed Liquor Rules on Namma Metro
Many commuters believe that while eating or drinking inside trains should continue to be disallowed for cleanliness reasons, merely carrying unopened bottles should not be restricted.
Officials also admitted that in some isolated cases, security staff at certain stations have already allowed passengers to travel with sealed bottles.
The draft policy takes a balanced view on alcohol consumption, noting that individuals are already allowed to board trains after drinking, as long as they remain within “permissible limits.”
These limits are not determined through mandatory breathalyzer checks at entry points; instead, the focus is on ensuring passengers behave responsibly and do not disturb others.
Sumit Bhatnagar confirmed that discussions on permitting sealed liquor bottles are still underway.
The proposed change is being positioned as an effort to make the Metro system more commuter-friendly and consistent with policies followed by other major urban transit networks in India.
