Zomato begins home delivery of liquor in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Amid chaos over liquor sale in Odisha, Foodtech unicorn Zomato on Tuesday announced the start of its alcohol home delivery service in the State.

Starting with Bhubaneswar, Zomato said it will soon expand to other cities like Rourkela, Balasore, Balangir, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Cuttack.

"We're happy to be of service to our users in Odisha who can now use Zomato to get alcohol delivered in addition to grocery and food delivery," Rakesh Ranjan, Vice President at Zomato, said in a statement.

"We are working very closely with excise departments to ensure end-to-end compliance to the safety guidelines and are also introducing consumption and identity verification protocols to promote responsible ordering and consumption," Ranjan said.

Users can avail the service from 9 am to 6 pm as permitted by the state authorities, Zomato said, adding that the app will only feature licensed retailers, who have applied for the service.

There would be age checks at the time of ordering as well as when the product is delivered, the company said.

Users will be required to upload a valid ID proof to be eligible for ordering which would later be verified by the delivery partner at the time of handing over the order.

There would also be product category limits to promote responsible ordering, it added.

Swiggy and Zomato last week said they had received permissions to start alcohol home delivery service in Jharkhand.

Earlier, the Excise Commissioner had issued a statement informing about commencing home delivery of liquor in 29 excise districts.

It also stated that around 8,420 orders were delivered on 1st day. While Cuttack, Khurda & Sundergarh registered highest sale.

Home delivery of liquor started in 29 excise districts. 8,420 orders delivered on 1st day. Cuttack, Khurda & Sundergarh registered highest sale. Swiggy & Zomato are in process of tying up with retailers & expected to start their operation from today: Excise Commissioner #Odisha pic.twitter.com/peNVEKJcGb

— OTV (@otvnews) May 26, 2020

Also Read:

Fake Online Liquor Vendor ‘Dupes’ Odisha Youth Of Rs 36000

Booze Party At Quarantine Centre In Odisha, Liquor ‘Supplier’ Arrested

(IANS)