As people in the country are gearing up to welcome 2025 with just two days remaining, preparations are also underway in full swing across various cities to ensure safe and orderly New Year celebrations on 31st December evening.


A set of guidelines have been issued by the police, Anti Narcotics Bureau, traffic police, and vigilance departments of several cities for celebrations at hotels, pubs, bars, ensuring partygoers have a smooth experience during their celebrations. 


Here are the restrictions imposed by security officials ahead of celebrations in cities across the country:


Mumbai


Mumbai police has asked citizens to obtain a prior permission from local authorities in their areas if they wish to play music, failing which could land them in legal trouble.


They have also advised citizens to cover terrace corners with curtains if edges are low in order to prevent accidents. Terrace parties with music have been permitted, but only until midnight. However, the decibel limits of the music must be followed.


After midnight, people can continue their parties, but without any music or disturbances. Police will strictly monitor parties which have youth gatherings due to increased risk of drug use or other unfortunate incidents.


The pubs, bars, and restaurants will remain open until 5 AM.


The Mumbai Port Trust announced that no boat parties will be held in the Arabian Sea on December 31, adding that the trend stopped in 2008 and the curbs will remain in place.


An elaborate security plan has been implemented to maintain law and order as various events will be held in hotels, malls, and other places on the New Year's eve. 


Over 1,400 police personel including 12,048 constables, 2,184 officers, 53 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), 29 Deputy Commissioners of Police (ACPs), and 8 Additional Commissioners of Police-rank officers will be deployed for security arrangements.


State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoons, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), Riot Control Police, and Home Guard personnel will also be on the ground for security.


Bengaluru


The Bengaluru Police and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have made elaborate arrangements for the upcoming New Year celebrations with tight security.


In Bengaluru, the New Year celebrations have been permitted until 1 AM, and the public has been allowed to conduct celebrations within the prescribed time limit only.


A total of 11,380 police personel, including civil defence staff and senior officers, will be deployed to monitor the celebrations across the city, ensuring that there are no drug-related activities and rave parties.


Meetings have also been held with BBMP, Metro, and other organisations to make arrangements for barricading, lighting, and operating metro services at night.


City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said, “Based on the previous year’s incidents and experience, we are improving the security. We have identified the areas where people are going to gather in large numbers. MG road, Brigade Road junction, Koramangala, Indiranagar and so on, accordingly arrangements have been done."


There will be zero tolerance towards drink and drive and driving under the influence of narcotic drugs.


"Special drive against commuters who drink and drive/use narcotic drugs will be carried out throughout the night, and all proactive measures like setting up checking points at various places in the city will be taken to ensure that no untoward incident occurs," the police said.


Observation towers have been set up to provide proper surveillance in crowded places and better moitoring. 817 CCTV cameras, 63 watch towers, 48 police kiosks, 114 women safety islands, and 54 health centres have been established across police divisions. 


According to traffic police, from 11 PM on December 31 to 6 AM on January 1, all vehicles will be prohibited on all the flyovers (except the elevated expressway leading to the KIA airport) to prevent accidents and mishaps. On the KIA International Airport elevated expressway, two wheelers are prohibited from 10 PM on December 31 to 6 AM on January 1.


Delhi


Security arrangements have been intensified in Delhi with increased deployments in the border areas. Over 10,000 police personnel, including traffic police are likely to be on the ground to keep a check on hooliganism and traffic violations.


The main focus of the police will be at Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, markets and near malls. Vehicles will not be allowed to enter Connaught Place from 8 PM onwards on December 31. Only those with valid passes will be allowed to access the inner, middle, and outer circles of CP.


The traffic police has also chalked out a plan to combat drink driving and motorcycle stunts. Additional forces from various police stations will be deployed to help the traffic police. 


The police personnel will be on shift duties and SHOs have been ordered to be on the road along with their teams to ensure law and order on New Year Eve. If anyone is found indulging in stunt-like activities their two or four wheeler will be impounded immediately. 


For New Year celebration, police teams are checking bus stands, hotels, railway stations, dharamshalas, and night shelters among other locations to verify if anyone is staying there without proper documents. Extra staff will be deployed near the hotels.


Hyderabad


Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Ananda has issued guidelines for hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants that have three star and above ratings. 


The organisers of parties have been asked to ensure CCTV cameras with recording at all entry and exit points and parking spots. Establishments that will host ticketed events till 1 AM have to seek permission from the commissioner in advance.


The use and sold of drugs has been prohibited and event organisers have been asked to be vigilant of drug usage in parking areas and other such spots. 


The outdoor sound systems must be switched off by 10 PM, while the indoor parties can play music until 1 AM at 45 decibels.


An advisory has also been issued for the partygoers having excessive alcohol. “If a customer is already drunk and not in their senses, the establishment should not serve liquor. As per section 36 (1) (1) of the Excise Act, a person who is already drunk should not be served liquor. Violation of the rule can lead to penalisation," an official told Times of India.


It further stated that the vehicle of those caught driving in an intoxicated state will be temporarily seized. The advisory also included penalties for drunk driving, which can lead to a fine of up to Rs 10,000, suspension of licence, and imprisonment.


(With inputs from news agency PTI)