As citizens gear up for New Year celebrations, police across India — especially in densely-populated Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and in the state of Goa — are boosting security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents or overcrowding.
Delhi
On New Year's Eve, Delhi police will be deploying approximately 16,500 personnel, including 2,500 women.
As cities generally see more driving violations and drunk-driving cases, traffic police said they would have 1,900 police pickets. In this regard, police have identified 125 points in cities where teams will be deployed to control drinking and driving.
Last year, police issued a traffic challans to 657 violators on New Year's Eve.
In a tweet, while wishing happy New Year, police advised: "Say no to drugs, say yes to New Year sweets."
The Delhi government, meanwhile, has also deployed school teachers at the city's airport to ensure appropriate COVID-19 behavior.
Mumbai
Mumbai police are going to deploy about 11,500 security personnel around the city on New Year's eve.
Special police would be deployed at the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Bandstand in suburban Bandra, and other important locations to prevent any untoward incident on the occasion.
Police also said that partying in the open is allowed until 12:30 am, while parties in closed areas are permitted until 5.00 am.
Goa
The coastal state of Goa remains a favorite tourist destination for New Year celebrations.
Nidhin Valsan, a senior police officer, told reporters that various teams have been deployed in various locations amid a series of events planned in the New Year.
He also said that music would be allowed to be played only until 10.00 pm. However, the order does not impact parties in closed areas.
Bengaluru
Police in India's tech city Bengaluru said they are going to closely monitor the city's New Year celebrations and have deployed additional CCTVs and iron cameras to keep watch.
Amid new COVID-19 restrictions, the city police have imposed a 1.00 am deadline on festivities. Earlier this week, Karnataka state also mandated the wearing of masks.
Police have said they will especially keep an eye on rave parties and drug peddlers. In December alone, the police registered 547 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), arrested 637 people, and recovered 344.7 kg of drugs.