Kerela to soon install liquor vending machines to get rid of queues

Here’s good news for all tipplers in Kerala who are tired of waiting in queues outside liquor outlets. The state is soon going to have liquor vending machines outside the liquor shops.

The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) has submitted a proposal with the government to get the machines soon.

Through such machines, customers can deposit money and can access liquor bottles on their own. However, there will be a restriction on the number of bottles that a consumer can buy.

The plan is not to make alcohol freely available, but to put an end to the rush in front of the outlets, said KSBC managing director H Venketesh.

In July last year, the Kerala High Court had asked KSBC to do something to end the serpentine queues outside beverages.

HC had raised the need for an adequate waiting area for the customers and had said that these long queues cause the public nuisance.

Once the vending machines are set up, customers can deposit cash and get their booze.

Since long, the corporation had been planning a way to reduce the queue. Introduction of vending machines is one such option which can be implemented soon after the government’s nod.

After the HC observation and as part of the modernisation drive, the corporation has started a token system in outlets which has been a successful initiative.

Full computerization of the outlets will be completed this year and they also plan to launch a mobile app that will give information to customers about the nearest branch and various brands available.