Bengaluru, Jan 1 (IANS): At stroke of midnight, frenzy gripped this tech hub, as thousands of denizens ushered in the New Year in wee hours of Friday, wishing, cheering, dancing and greeting one another across the city.
"The New Year eve was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any locality in the city till 1.30 a.m." Bengaluru police commissioner Megharik told reporters, as he was on rounds to check the law and order machinery working.
As the favourite haunt in the city, especially among youth, M.G. Road and Brigade Road in downtown were bustling, as hundreds of revellers flocked to celebrate the New Year eve amid tight security.
With vehicular traffic diverted and parking banned within 2km around the junction, revellers spilled over roads, rocking and screaming aa happy new year.
As pubs, restaurants, eateries, clubs and hotels, which were allowed to remain open till 1 a.m. to serve liquor and food, did brisk business and advised the tipsy to take a cab or auto to home, as drunken driving attracted heavy fine.
An hour into the New Year, tens of policemen and policewomen swung into action and persuaded the revellers to disperse from downtown and head home.
State-run transport services metro and BMTC operated their special service till 2 a.m. to enable the revellers return home at the earliest.
About 1,000 city policemen, 12 state reserve police platoons, two quick response teams and 10 watch towers were used to maintain vigil and peace during the occasion.
As driving on flyovers and elevated corridors have been banned from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. of Friday to avoid drunken driving and mishaps, traffic snarls and grid locks were reported in and around them across the city.
On flipside, revellers were treated to rock music and numbers from old and new albums at 30 places across the city for whole-night entertainment.
About 10 star hotels have also organised NY parties with beverages and snacks.
Taxi ride
Exorbitantly priced taxi rides also did not deter people from hitting the City centre. Several cab aggregators had hiked their prices by nearly five times.
Traffic restrictions were in place in and around MG Road.
Food delivery services were also unavailable for these locations on Thursday.Many found it convenient to party at home. City-based techie Archana Rao, who wished to have a peaceful New Year, said partying at home was better.
“Not only will the prices be exorbitant but also reaching places such as Koramangala, Indiranagar and MG Road would be tough. Hence, we have planned a small family get together,” she added. The police had made elaborate security arrangements in the Central Business District and especially on MG Road and Brigade Road.
Watchtowers were erected and armed policemen with night-vision binoculars monitored the revellers. Close to 100 CCTV cameras of City police and private establishments had been installed. There were two metal detectors right at the entrance of Brigade Road and everybody was thoroughly screened. City Police Commissioner N S Megharik, Additional Commissioner (West) Prathap Reddy and DCP (Central) Sandeep Patil personally monitored the security situation at MG Road and Brigade Road.
With DHNS Inputs