A new law in India went into effect on April first that says all bars and liquor stores must be at least 500 meters from state and national highways. A lot of businesses have closed or moved since then, but one enterprising bar owner in Paravoor, Kerala, found a workaround to the new law. The Aishwarya Bar rearranged the fencing and built a maze from the street to lengthen the distance the distance to the bar!
"We have done nothing illegal. The plot behind the bar also belongs to the owner and we have constructed an extended way to reach the bar. Now it is 520 metres from the highway. We are set to approach the circle inspector of excise with the new route map to authorize the reopening of the bar," said Shiju P, bar manager.
Even the excise officials admitted the move by the management is acceptable. A Vijayan IPS, additional excise commissioner said,
"We do not measure the aerial distance but only the walking distance. However, they will be fined for altering the entrance."
A fine for a building code violation is much less painful than losing one's liquor license, as any bar owner will tell you. Still, you have to feel sorry for the patrons of the bar who have to find their way through the maze to get back home after a night of drinking. See more pictures of the maze at the India Times. -Thanks, John Farrier!