CHENNAI: Liquor sales in Tamil Nadu touched Rs 518 crore over the first two days of the Pongal festival, according to a Daily Thanthi report. On Bhogi day (January 14), sales stood at Rs 217 crore, followed by Rs 301 crore on Pongal day (January 15).

Tamil Nadu has 4,829 TASMAC liquor outlets with 3,240 attached bars. By comparison, alcohol sales during Pongal last year stood at Rs 725 crore over four days, while this year Rs 518 crore has been recorded in just two days.

Chennai recorded the highest sales at Rs 98.75 crore during the two-day period. Other major zones saw sales of Rs 95.87 crore in Madurai, Rs 85.13 crore in Tiruchy, Rs 79.59 crore in Salem, and Rs 76.02 crore in Coimbatore.

Alcohol sales at entertainment venues alone amounted to Rs 33.16 crore on January 14 and Rs 49.43 crore on January 15.