English
English
English
As New Year’s Eve celebrations begin across major cities, authorities have deployed thousands of personnel, set up checkpoints, and introduced safety measures including drunk drop-off facilities, traffic diversions, and strict monitoring to ensure smooth and secure festivities.
Bengaluru offers drop-off facilities for heavily intoxicated people.
New Delhi: Delhi Police has intensified security across the national capital ahead of New Year’s Eve, deploying nearly 3,000 personnel to monitor public safety. Over 50 checkpoints have been set up to check traffic violations and conduct breath analyzer tests for drunk driving. Sixty popular party zones, including malls, markets, and nightlife hubs, will have intensified policing.
To ensure smooth celebrations, vehicular traffic in Connaught Place will be restricted from 7 p.m. on December 31. Around India Gate, vehicles may be restricted in case of heavy pedestrian flow. Traffic has also been diverted near Saket malls, including Select City Mall, DLF Avenue Mall, and MGF Metropolitan Mall, while median cuts on Press Enclave Road remain closed. Heavy vehicles and public transport buses will not be allowed on major routes like Sheikh Sarai Red Light, Asian Market Light, and PTS Malviya Nagar Light.
Mumbai: Law Enforcement and Extended Timings
Mumbai Police has deployed over 17,000 personnel to maintain order during New Year celebrations. Crowds are expected at the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, and Girgaon Chowpatty. Breath analyzer checks will be conducted for motorists, and strict action will be taken against noisy or unruly behavior.
Several Indians named in King Charles III’s New Year’s honours list
The Maharashtra government has allowed restaurants, bars, pubs, and hotels to operate until 5 a.m. on January 1, with mandatory private security to prevent disturbances. Owners of establishments have been instructed to ensure patrons do not drive under the influence.
Bengaluru authorities have introduced a unique facility to drop “heavily drunk” revelers at home safely, with 15 rest locations provided for people to recover. Over 20,000 police personnel, including specialised women squads, have been deployed to ensure public safety. Separate parking arrangements have been made at major malls, and parking near pubs has been restricted.
New Year 2026: Top 10 Resolutions ideas for mind, body, and life
Traffic monitoring will involve 2,432 traffic personnel and 400 wardens, with major road closures including M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Residency Road, Museum Road, and Rest House Road. Surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology will help identify nuisance-mongers, while Quick Response Teams, C-SWAT, Hoysala, and Cobra patrols ensure security. MG Road Metro station will remain closed from 10 p.m., with adjacent stations facilitating boarding and deboarding.
Chennai will see deployment of over 25,000 police personnel from city and suburban units, supported by drones, CCTV surveillance, and monitoring teams. Authorities have banned firecrackers in public places and restricted beach access from Marina to Kovalam. More than 500 vehicle check-posts will monitor drunk and reckless driving, while establishments serving alcohol must follow safety guidelines and prevent entry of minors.
Kolkata Police will deploy around 2,000 personnel to monitor streets during the New Year. Special attention will be given to motorbike riders and those driving under the influence. Officers, including women police squads, Quick Response Teams, and plainclothes units, will patrol hotspots like Park Street, Zoological Garden, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Maidan, Prinsep Ghat, and Millennium Park.
Hyderabad authorities have announced strict enforcement against drunk driving, including vehicle seizure, heavy fines, imprisonment, and license cancellation. Special checks will be conducted across 120 city locations. Action will also be taken against triple riding, nuisance creation, and reckless driving. People who consume alcohol are advised to use cabs or drivers instead of driving.
This year, major cities have combined strict enforcement, advanced technology, and public safety measures to ensure a smooth and safe celebration, with innovative initiatives like Bengaluru’s drunk drop-off and extensive monitoring making the New Year celebrations secure for all.
