The spurious toddy crisis in Telangana represents a lethal mix of greed, addiction, and inadequate regulation. A deadly incident in Greater Hyderabad, which resulted in the deaths of six individuals, starkly illustrates the human toll of regulatory inaction. The illicit trade, fuelled by chemical additives such as alprazolam, continues to thrive largely due to the government’s failure to effectively oversee supply chains and safeguard public health.
Without substantial reforms, Telangana risks further tragedies caused by this toxic concoction. A heart-breaking occurrence unfolded in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, where six people lost their lives and many others were hospitalized after consuming adulterated toddy. This fermented palm drink, a cultural mainstay in Telangana, has become deadly due to the rampant addition of harmful chemicals, including alprazolam—a prescription sedative—designed to intensify its intoxicating effects. Despite a series of similar tragedies over the years, the illegal toddy industry persists, exposing a significant lapse in regulatory control and enforcement. This report takes an in-depth look at the methods behind the production of counterfeit toddy, the impact of chemicals like alprazolam, the reasons for governmental shortcomings in addressing this issue, and a review of significant incidents in Telangana's recent past.
Mechanics of the Spurious Toddy Trade
Traditionally, toddy is tapped from palm trees and naturally fermented, yielding a mild alcoholic beverage. However, due to the scarcity of toddy trees in Hyderabad—government data indicates only 4.8 million trees state-wide, none within the city—vendors are resorting to adulteration to meet the demand and boost profits. This process often entails diluting the limited authentic toddy with water and introducing harmful chemicals to imitate its colour, flavour, and intoxicating properties.
Toxic Ingredients of this Illicit Brew
To stretch their supply, vendors mix water with synthetic sweeteners such as saccharin to mirror the drink’s inherent sweetness. Sometimes, magnesium chloride is added to create a fizzy texture reminiscent of fermentation. The most perilous additives include prescription medications like alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and chloral hydrate. Alprazolam is often crushed or dissolved and mixed into toddy in doses ranging between 30 to 50 milligrams per litter. These substances considerably heighten the drink's intoxicating effects, making it increasingly addictive. Additionally, detergents are used to produce froth, and substances like benzoic acid or urea are added to improve texture and shelf life. The ingestion of these chemicals, especially when combined with sedatives, can lead to severe health crises, including neurological damage and organ failure. Procuring these chemicals typically occurs through illegal networks, including interstate drug operations. For example, in June 2025, authorities in the Nirmal district confiscated substantial amounts of chloral hydrate and alprazolam, sourced from Maharashtra for the embryonic toddy market. The aim is clear: a minimal quantity of alprazolam can adulterate vast amounts of toddy, ensuring repeat customers become addicted to the enhanced high.
Hazards of Alprazolam
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders, classified as a controlled substance available only through prescriptions. When incorporated into toddy, it produces a rapid, intense high that dramatically eclipses the natural effects of the fermented drink. Regular consumption can lead to dependence, with withdrawal symptoms that include seizures, delirium, and tremors, and can culminate in coma or death.
A notable case in 2024 in Warangal saw a patient hospitalized after consuming 10-12 bottles daily and experiencing severe tremors during withdrawal. An overdose of alprazolam can induce low blood sugar, dizziness, diarrhea, dehydration, and even kidney failure. The amounts of this drug used in illicit toddy—often 20-25 times higher than prescribed doses—significantly amplify the associated risks. A 2015 report indicated that affected individuals often found themselves continually increasing their intake, leading to a spiral of addiction.
Government Inaction on the Growing Threat
The ongoing sale and consumption of tainted toddy in Telangana highlights a troubling mix of regulatory inadequacies, enforcement failures, and socio-political challenges. Given the absence of palm trees in Hyderabad and the limited yield of 100 litters annually per tree, demand vastly outstrips supply, creating a fertile ground for adulteration. Licensed stores—about 8,000 state-wide through the Toddy Cooperative Society and Tree for Tapper initiatives—often resort to illicit methods. Despite the issuance of licenses in 2014 without regard for actual tree availability, many establishments operate without licenses, complicating oversight.
The Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory can only identify 50 out of the 250 chemicals prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and lacks immediate detection capabilities for alprazolam; samples must be submitted to a single lab, which is already under strain. Despite actions taken by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau and the Excise Department—confiscating 38.25 kg of alprazolam in 2023 and 30 kg in May 2025—the illicit trade persists.
A 2012 report noted that enforcement efforts waned following initial crackdowns, allowing these dangerous substances to re-enter the market. Approximately 75% of the alprazolam used in this trade is sourced from neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, complicating local enforcement efforts. A 2024 raid at Mylan Laboratories revealed employees siphoning off 21 kg of alprazolam, further exposing vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Political and Social Lobbying
There are reports of powerful liquor lobbies, with backing from politicians, obstructing rigorous actions against the spurious toddy trade. Some of the news reports indicated that political influence helped shield these syndicates, undermining enforcement initiatives. The cultural significance and affordability of toddy make it especially popular among day labourers and rural communities. A sudden prohibition could lead to withdrawal-related hospitalizations—an event witnessed during the 2015-2016 crackdown—deterring aggressive enforcement strategies. The government's failure to offer affordable, safe alcohol alternatives has stoked the ongoing illicit trade, as illustrated by a 2015 proposal for low-cost liquor that was ultimately rejected due to opposition, leaving toddy as the primary affordable option for lower-income populations.
Telangana is home to only two de-addiction centers located in Hyderabad and Warangal, each struggling to manage a daily influx of approximately 100 patients. The Institute of Mental Health in Erragadda manages the region's only government-operated de-addiction facility. Despite repeated incidents over the years, the government has yet to establish comprehensive monitoring systems or detoxification centers, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to addiction and its associated dangers.
History of Spurious Toddy Incidents
Over the last decade, Telangana has experienced recurring spurious toddy incidents driven primarily by the use of hazardous chemicals like alprazolam. These occurrences have resulted in considerable fatalities, with at least 48 deaths reported and numerous others hospitalized; 2015 and 2021 emerged as particularly lethal years. Data reveals a consistent failure to tackle adulteration, exacerbated by insufficient supply, lax enforcement, and interstate drug trafficking networks.
2011-2012: A total of 105 cases of toddy adulteration surfaced statewide, with authorities seizing 72 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, marking an early indication of chemical contamination.
2012-2013: Telangana reported 104 instances of adulteration, yielding 55 kg of seized NDPS, suggesting a persistent illegal trade despite regulatory attempts.
2013-2014: The frequency of cases surged, with 210 reports of adulterated toddy and the confiscation of 289 kg of NDPS, underscoring a growing challenge.
2015: A severe addiction crisis was highlighted in Hyderabad when 30 deaths were attributed to withdrawal from alprazolam- and diazepam-laced toddy, with additional hospitalizations reported in Yadagirigutta following consumption of adulterated products.
2020: Mahbubnagar recorded nine deaths alongside multiple hospitalizations traced to withdrawal issues after a crackdown on spurious toddy, underscoring the risks associated with abrupt supply disruptions.
2021: Vikarabad faced two separate incidents—in one, two individuals died and 186 were hospitalized, while another episode resulted in one death and 100 illnesses across 11 villages, all due to adulterated toddy.
2024: In Kamareddy, 91 hospitalizations emerged after consumption of alprazolam-infused toddy, with no fatalities reported. 2025: Two incidents in Kamareddy during April led to 83 hospitalizations linked to alprazolam-tainted toddy.
2025: Tragically, in July, an incident in Kukatpally claimed six lives and led to 28 hospitalizations, once again revealing the deadly consequences of this illicit trade and resulting in the closure of four shops involved.
