Chandigarh, Dec 31 (IANS): Hundreds of people gathered at various locations in Chandigarh, Amritsar and other places to welcome the New Year.

Amritsar attracted large crowds of people who had come to offer prayers for the New Year and thank the almighty for the year gone by.

"This place has so much of spirituality and a calming effect. We are blessed to be here to usher in the New Year by offering our prayers," Vishal Bhatia, a resident of New Delhi, who came to Amritsar on Monday, said.

Reports of New Year celebrations came from Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala in Punjab and Ambala and other places in Haryana.

In Chandigarh, revellers gathered at the Sector 17 Plaza, the Sukhna Lake, Elante Mall and other places to celebrate the New Year.

"The atmosphere is so nice in Sector 17 with so many people enjoying the New Year celebrations," Rachna Singh, a homemaker from Mohali said.

Tight security arrangements were made by the police to keep a check on the New Year revellers.

A Chandigarh Police spokesman said that New Year was being celebrated at 115 locations across the union territory, including clubs, hotels and restaurants.

Nearly, 1,500 police personnel, including a special women's squad, were deployed, with 55 internal and 18 outer border nakas (police check points).

Special anti-sabotage checks were carried out at important places to rule out use of explosives, the police spokesman said.

"Nine PCR (police control room) vehicles with women staff were deployed at different places in the city. They will provide pick and drop vehicles for women in case any call is received in the control room," the spokesman said.

Traffic has been regulated on the popular 'Geri Route' in Sectors 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 to keep a check on mischievous elements.