Bengaluru all set to usher in grand New Year after two years, crowds pour in

BENGALURU: The hours to go for the New Year’s Eve celebration, major streets in the city are decked up with colourful lights and festoons. Youths, including foreigners, have already started pouring in along with their companions to enjoy the revelry.

Amid of the celebration, the City Police are keeping a watch on people not following Covid-appropriate behaviour. Marshals are also out to control crowds during the night party.

Brigade Road is on high alert and CCTV cameras have been installed for close observation.

The BBMP has deputed 220 marshals to create awareness among the people who are not wearing masks. More attention will be paid on Brigade Road and MG Road where crowds are expected to assemble.

Senior police officers reviewing the security arrangements on major streets in the city on Saturday.

It is expecting that in and around 5-6 lakh people will gathered at Brigade Road, MG Road, Church Street and Residency Road for the New Year celebration which will go on till 1 am.

Additional police forces have been deployed to maintain peace, law and order. More than 200 CCTV cameras and drone cameras have been deployed and watch towers installed to keep a watch on people on the streets. A temporary helpline and control room has been set on Brigade Road.

Islands have been set up for treating sick women.

A special bed has been arranged for drunkards on Church Street. Almost all the pubs, bars and restaurants have put up ‘No Mask, No Entry’ signs and have exciting offers for customers. The police have directed for a separate system at these places to photograph patrons without the mask before letting them inside.

Metal detectors have also installed at the entrance of Brigade Road and the canine squads, bomb disposal squads will also present at the party hotspots.

DCP Srinivas Gowda said they have made all required measures to control the crowd on New year.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Srinivas Gowda said, “We have made adequate preparations for controlling the crowd during the New Year celebration. Our main focus is on Brigade Road, as we expecting a large gathering. We have deployed more than 1,500 police personnel and deployed additional forces such as 350 Home Guards, 500 Civil Defence personnel and KSRP platoons. More than 200 CCTV cameras have been installed, 20 women’s safety islands and umbrella points have been created and about 13 watch towers are installed”.

Face recognition device have been installed in pubs, bars and restaurants for safety.

The officer further said, “We have provided blinkers, umbrella toplights to our staff. We have taken technical help. A special team of 200 women police personnel, called the ‘Pink squad’ has been formed to manage girls. An Orange team will take action against mischief mongers. If anyone gets into trouble, they can come to the umbrella point and sort out the isse. If any one misplaces their belongings, police will receive their complaints at the spot. Ambulance and Fire brigade service is also made available. If any woman get sick, they can be take rest in the women’s safety islands. We are expecting a crowd bigger usual as the event is being celebrated after two years”.

He urged the public to co-operate with the police and allow for a peaceful New Year’s Eve celebration.