Nearly 300 bars in non-five-star hotels will have to close down straight away.
It's last call in Kerala.
The government has introduced a policy that is meant to deliver the state into prohibition in 10 years.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced today that nearly 300 bars in non-five-star hotels will have to close down straight away with the government deciding to revoke their licenses. Kerala has India's highest annual per-capita alcohol consumption: 8.3 litres, according to some estimate.
"It is certain that (alcohol) still continues as a social danger. This is having an adverse effect," Mr Chandy said, adding "Kerala should get ready to imbibe the essence of (a) total liquor ban in the state."
A group of women, including some college students, met him today to offer their thanks for trying to curb what they describe as a rampant problem. "I can now safely walk the streets without fearing any obscene remarks," said Sunitha, who lives next to a bar which has been ordered to close down.
Yesterday, the government said that starting next year, all bars will have to be hosted in five-stars. 400 stand-alone bars which have lost their licenses in the last year for failing to meet basic standards cannot petition for renewal.
The government is also considering a proposal to turn Sundays into dry days.
The Congress-led coalition government has been pledging tougher alcohol rules in India's hardest drinking state in an attempt to win over voters. In the national election in May, the government won 12 of the state's 20 parliamentary seats.
The route towards an alcohol-free state has been chartered largely by VM Sudheeran, the powerful president of the Congress in Kerala, who has been lobbying for a major crackdown on alcohol sales. His hardline stand had pitted him against the Chief Minister, who is from the same party.
Kerala earns 9,000 crores every year - a third of its income - from the sale of alcohol.
It is also one of the country's biggest tourist draws thanks to its palm-fringed white sandy beaches and tranquil rivers lined with paddy fields.
Tourism officials said they had not been consulted and warned that exempting five-star hotels would not be enough to save the industry, with many tourists staying in small guesthouses.