The party scene is moving out of Gujarat. After a recent police raid on a farmhouse party in rural Ahmedabad, the city’s youth are heading across the border to celebrate weekends in peace—turning destinations like Mount Abu, Udaipur, and Kumbhalgarh into buzzing new party hubs.
According to a media report, with festivals like Janmashtami and Independence Day around the corner, the trend is gaining momentum. Night patrol orders issued to Ahmedabad Rural, Gandhinagar, and other police divisions have led youngsters to steer clear of anything that might attract attention—including hookah and even small gatherings, despite having valid liquor permits.
Rajasthan Tourism Benefits from the Shift
According to Nishith Notani of Martand Tours and Travels, demand for villas and resorts in Rajasthan has spiked. “While long weekends have always seen some travel, the recent raids have caused a surge in bookings across all upcoming weekends,” he said.
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Gujarat president Narendra Somani attributed the shift to fear of legal trouble. “Youngsters don’t want to get into unwanted situations. In fact, many families now encourage travel to states where alcohol isn’t banned,” he said. Somani also criticized the inconsistency in alcohol laws, questioning how liquor becomes legal just by crossing into neighboring states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, or Goa—where law and order remain intact despite legal alcohol.
Dry State, Lost Tourism
A group of young professionals headed to Udaipur this weekend summed up the sentiment: “We’re not regular drinkers, but some friends visiting from out of state want to enjoy a beer. Instead of risking it in Gujarat, we prefer going where it’s legally allowed.”
Hoteliers and travel agents argue that Gujarat’s prohibition policy continues to hurt its tourism potential, despite having scenic and culturally rich destinations.
“Gujarat is losing out,” said Somani. “Youth today just want to avoid unnecessary trouble—so they leave.”