New Delhi: Centre has requested all States and union territories to ensure no license is issued to liquor vendors along National Highways, in the wake of increasing number of road accidents due to drunken driving. This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Pon Radhakrishnan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

He said, States have also been requested to review cases wherever license had already been given to liquor vendors along National Highways. The Minister said, Chairman of National Highways Authority of India has requested all the Chief Secretaries to remove liquor shops on the National Highways and not to allow new liquor vendor in future. He said, alcohol intake led to over six thousand deaths and around 18 thousand accidents last year.