As the countdown to 2025 is on with people waiting to ring in the New Year, the metro cities across the nation will witness massive celebrations. In view of the New Year festivities, security forces and authorities have ramped up arrangements and imposed a slew of restrictions to ensure safety and security of the citizens.
Police have laid out measures and curbs to be followed by everyone, with utmost attention on preventing drunk driving, drug abuse, women harassment, and any other untoward incident, which could disrupt celebrations.
Ahmedabad
Gujarat has made elaborate security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during New Year celebrations. These include check up posts to prevent liquour smuggling in border areas.
Nearly 6,000 personnel have been deployed in Ahmedabad while security is enhanced at popular spots. They will remain stand-to from 6 pm (of December 31) till the morning of January 1.
Security has been enhanced at places with high footfall such as SG Highway, CG Road, Sabarmati Riverfront and Sindhu Bhavan Road.
As Gujarat is a dry state, police are conducting vehicle checks at the inter-state borders and will also be checking liquor and drug consumption using breath analysers and mobile analyser kits. Vigil outside hotels, open plots, and farmhouses to prevent illegal activities has also been increased.
Bengaluru
Bengaluru government has allowed New Year celebrations only until 1 AM.
Extensive security arrangements are in place for spots such as MG Road, Brigade Road junctions, Koramangala, Indiranagar 100 Feet Road, Orion Mall, JP Nagar in South Bengaluru, and Whitefield, where large gatherings are expected.
More than 7,500 CCTV cameras have been installed with a total of 11,830 personnel including senior officers, civil defense staff, and others deployed to maintain strict vigilance across the city.
Noise-making whistles and full face masks have been banned during celebrations at public places.
In order to facilitate travel for the revellers after New Year celebrations, the Nammo Metro services have been extended until 2:40 AM on Januray 1. Check details here.
Chennai
In view of the New Year celebrations, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police announced a slew of regulations which will be imposed starting from 7 PM onwards on Tuesday until 6 AM on January 1.
These include the closure of all flyovers in the city for traffic from 10 PM on Tuesday till 6 AM on Wednesday.
Various traffic diversions and restrictions have been planned at Marina Beach, Elliot Beach, and in and around Kamarajar Salai, due to the massive crowd expected at these places.
Delhi-NCR
Delhi police has also taken enhanced security measures and implemented restrictions across the national capital, especially at Connaught Place, India Gate, and Hauz Khas to maintain law and order during New Year celebrations.
Nearly 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed in the city along with 50 alcometers-equipped teams to keep a check on drunk driving.
Traffic restrictions will be imposed after 8 PM on December 31 and only those vehicles with stickers will be allowed to enter Connaught Place. The police have identified 10 spots in Connaught Place and 14 at India Gate where restrictions have been imposed to prevent overcrowding.
Large crowds are expected at Connaught Place, Khan Market, five-star hotels, including The Lalit, Imperial, Park, Royal Plaza, Shangri-La, Le Meridien, Taj Mahal, Taj Vivanta, Metropolitan, Claridges, Ashoka, Samrat, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace, India Gate, 'C' Hexagon and Kartavya Path, temples and gurudwaras.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation stated that the Rajiv Chowk station will remain open on December 31, with only gate 5 and 6 being closed.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration will impose restrictions under Section 163 in the district for two days on December 31 and January 1 to prevent disruptions by anti-social elements during New Year celebrations.
Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Jewar, and Gaur Yamuna City come under the Gautam Budh Nagar administration. For more details on restrictions in Noida, click here.
Hyderabad
Authorities in Hyderabad have also imposed restrictions to ensure smooth celebrations on New Year's eve and New Year.
Parties and events organisers have been asked to install CCTVs at all entry and exit points and parking spots. A special permission will be required to host events beyond 1 AM.
Use and selling of drugs has been prohibited and outdoor music systems must be switched off by 10 PM. Indoor parties can play music till 1 AM at 45 decibels.
Those found driving under the influence of alcohol will be fined and punished. Their vehicle will also be seized. Places serving alchohol have been told to not serve alcohol to those who are already intoxicated.
Hyderabad Police will be keeping a strict vigil on markets, malls, and spots where people are likely to gather for celebrations. These include places such as Tank Bund, PVNR Marg (Necklace Road), NTR Marg, and shopping, commercial, restaurant and pub/bar areas of Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Khairathabad, Punjagutta, Saifabad, etc.
All flyovers of the city, except Begumpet and Tolichowki, would be closed for traffic movement from December 31 night till November 1 morning.
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Kolkata
The security arrangements at the Metro Railway Kolkata have been tightened in view of the New Year celebrations.
Special teams will be posted at Park Street station near the hub of celebrations, and various other metro stations along the Blue Line (Dakshineswar-New Garia corridor). Round-the-clock CCTV monitoring will be carried out at the central control room.
Well-trained RPF personnel will be deployed at all entry and exit gates at the Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan, Dum Dum and Dakshineswar Metro stations on New Year's Eve due to the anticipated rush.
Six additional services, including three on UP and as many on DN lines will be run on New Year's Eve for the commuters on the Blue Line.
Mumbai
Over 14,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai as part of elaborate security measures. Also, olice personnel in plain clothes will keep an eye at crowded places to avoid any untoward incident.
Platoons of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), Quick Response Team (QRT), Riot Control police and Homeguards will also be in place to ensure security.
The police have warned of strict action against those involved in eve-teasing or harassing women and illicit liquor sale.
Shooting of reels on the railway station premises has been prohibited and nobody will be allowed to perform stunts.
Terrace parties with music have been permitted, but only until midnight. The pubs, bars, and restaurants will remain open until 5 AM. Anti-narcotics teams will be on alert to keep a check on drunk driving.
Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu and Versova beaches will witness increased security due to the anticipated rush. No boat parties will take place this New Year as well.
To ensure convenience during traveling, the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) and the Western Railway and Central Railway will be operating extra services after midnight.