Bhubaneswar Hookah Bar Fire Sparks Statewide Crackdown on Illegal Liquor Spots
A massive fire engulfed No Limit Air, a rooftop restaurant-cum-hookah bar in Bhubaneswar’s Satya Vihar area, during the early hours of December 12.
While no casualties were reported, the blaze gutted the establishment and raised serious concerns about fire safety compliance and alleged illegal liquor operations.
Excise Department officials confirmed that the venue did not possess a valid bar license, despite earlier complaints of illegal liquor sales.
A raid conducted a month prior yielded no evidence, but the owner was warned against selling alcohol without authorisation.
In response to the incident, a joint inquiry has been launched by the Superintendent of Excise and the State Flying Squad.
The fire comes amid heightened vigilance, with recent raids uncovering unlicensed liquor bars at Sky Hi, Mary Gold, Silicious, and Samara Restrobars in Bhubaneswar. Liquor bottles were seized, arrests made, and excise cases registered.
Authorities have now directed all district excise officials to intensify raids across Odisha, targeting illegal liquor points, enforcing fire safety measures, and booking offenders under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
The crackdown underscores the state’s commitment to curbing violations and ensuring public safety in nightlife establishments.
