No relaxation for pubs, city police to keep tight vigil on New Year’s eve

The city police, which usually relaxes their rules during New Year’s eve celebrations, have decided not to step down their vigil this time around and will be booking drunken driving cases. A decision to increase the number of vehicle checking points has been taken and traffic violations, including drunken driving, will not be allowed, senior police officials said. “There is will not be any relaxation. Those found to be drunken driving will be booked. We will also not allow any nuisance on the roads. Also, there will be no relaxation for pubs and bars this time around,” a senior police official told DTNext. 

During previous years, police had unofficially relaxed the timings of pubs and bars. The city police are making elaborate arrangements to control the crowd that may come out to celebrate New Year. Extra force would be deployed and additional vehicle checking points will be put up. “The main focus would be on the Beach Road and other arterial roads. We are extra cautious this time and do not want any loss of life on the roads due to accidents. So violations will be sternly dealt with,” the official said. 

Elaborate plans have already been made by each traffic districts under the guidance of DC Traffic (Planning). “The focus is to allow smooth flow of traffic and prevent people from engaging in rash or drunken driving. Special measures have been taken to prevent bike racing,” a senior traffic official said. Road barricading would be done on Kamarajar Salai, where more crowd would gather. Moreover, watch towers would be erected at the Beach to monitor the crowd. About 10,000 police personnel will be deployed on the roads to manage the crowd, police sources said. Though police have made all arrangements, they believe the celebrations to be a low-key affair this year. “Due to the currency shortage, we presume that the celebrations will not be very colourful.