High demand drives Rs 28 Crore liquor shop allocation in Noida

Abhishek Byahut
NOIDA

Gautam Budh Nagar district has generated around ₹28 crore in revenue through the allocation of newly created liquor shops under the 2026–27 excise policy, with more than 4,000 applicants competing for 30 outlets in the second phase of the e-lottery process, officials said on Thursday.

With the latest allotment, the total number of liquor vends in the district has increased from 501 to 526, officials said.

According to the district excise department, a total of 4,047 applications were received in the second phase, marking the highest number of applications for liquor shop allocations in Uttar Pradesh.

District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar said the response in the district was unprecedented, particularly for country liquor shops, where competition remained intense.

Out of the total applications, 3,535 were submitted for 24 country liquor shops catering to low-cost, locally produced alcohol.

Additionally, 507 applications were received for two composite shops offering both country liquor and Indian-made foreign liquor, while five applications were filed for four model shops categorised as premium outlets, officials said.
The allotments were carried out through an online e-lottery system to ensure transparency and fairness. The process was conducted in the presence of a district-level selection committee and was displayed live on LED screens, allowing applicants to witness the proceedings in real time.

Kumar said the system ensured equal opportunity for all applicants under the policy framework and eliminated the scope for manual intervention.

Officials described the ₹28 crore revenue generated through application processing fees alone as a significant boost at the beginning of the financial year. Kumar said the total revenue is expected to nearly double once licence fees and other charges are collected at the time of opening the outlets.

The excise department said the expansion of retail outlets was undertaken in response to the growth of new residential areas, markets and colonies, as well as to curb illegal sale of liquor. Proposals for opening new shops were submitted by departmental officers as part of the annual exercise to rationalise liquor distribution and enhance revenue.

The twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Budh Nagar district continue to rank among the top revenue-generating regions in the state, with excise collections reaching approximately ₹2,500 crore in the 2025–26 financial year, the officer added.

Officials said the second phase of the e-lottery covered the allotment of remaining and newly introduced shops following the completion of the initial round, thereby concluding a major portion of the licensing process for the current excise cycle in the district.