Delhi, the national capital of India, will observe a dry day on Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday, a gazetted holiday. As per an official order issued by the Delhi Excise Department, all liquor outlets across Delhi will remain closed for the day.
Why Liquor Shops Will Be Shut
According to Excise Commissioner Sunny Singh, the closure is by Rule 52 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, which mandates dry days on specific religious and national occasions. An order issued in March directed all liquor license holders to suspend operations for the day and display the dry day notice prominently at their premises.
What’s Open and What’s Closed in Delhi on April 18
Good Friday is a gazetted holiday, and as such, several services and institutions will operate on altered schedules:
Educational Institutions
– Government schools and colleges will remain closed.
– Most private schools are also expected to observe a holiday.
Offices
– Government offices will remain shut.
– Private offices may operate depending on internal policies, with some choosing to remain closed or offer flexible work hours.
Essential Services
– Hospitals, emergency medical services, police stations, and fire departments will remain fully operational.
Public Transport
– Delhi Metro services will function as per the regular schedule.
– DTC buses and other forms of public transport will also operate normally.
Markets, Malls, and Restaurants
– Markets, malls, and restaurants are expected to remain open.
– However, some Christian-run establishments may close in observance of the solemn occasion.
Religious Observances
Churches across Delhi will conduct special prayers and services to mark the significance of Good Friday. The day is observed to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is considered a solemn occasion in the Christian faith.
Summing Up
Delhi will observe a citywide dry day on April 18, with liquor outlets ordered to close in line with excise rules for Good Friday. While educational institutions and government offices will remain closed, essential services and public transport will continue uninterrupted. The city is expected to function largely as usual, with quiet observances at churches marking the significance of the day.
