Chandigarh
Police have marked 10 road stretches as vehicle-free zones on New Year’s Eve to prevent traffic jams, hooliganism and drunken revelry and ensure the celebrations pass off peacefully.
Vehicles will not be allowed on inner market roads of sectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 and 22; the road in front of Leisure Valley, Sector 10; the road from Sector 22’s Aroma light point to the small chowk near the dispensary in the sector; and on the road around Elante Mall, Industrial Area, Phase I, from 10pm to 2am, senior police officials said. People have been told to make own parking arrangements for their vehicles in the vicinity of the stretches. Residents whose houses are accessed from these roads are requested to carry a valid identity card and residence proof to allow their entry beyond the stipulated time.
Police said New Year will be celebrated at 145 places in the city. To maintain law and order, eight DSPs, 16 SHOs, 21 inspectors and 1,199 other officers would be deputed. As many as 41 internal nakas and 18 outer border nakas would be set up. Police said six ambulances, six fire tenders, three hydraulic ladders, three QRTs-woul be deployed at different places in the city.
Police have decided to crack down on public drinking. Cops said those drinking liquor at public places, creating noise pollution through exhaust of vehicles and indulging in hooliganism would be dealt with strictly.
Police would conduct a special drive against drunken driving and overspeeding in the city on Tuesday night. Strict legal action would be taken against those driving under the influence of alcohol. Vehicles of drunk drivers would be impounded, a penalty of Rs 10,000 imposed and their driving licences could be suspended. “Cops will be regulating traffic and assisting the public. Inconvenience caused to the public on account of these restrictions is regretted. We appeal to please cooperate with the police in the larger public interest,” said a police release.
