The Delhi Police has intensified security arrangements across the city in view of New Year celebrations with more 10,000 personnel slated to be on ground to rein in hooliganism and traffic violations. Police will work in two different shifts and all SHOs have been ordered to be on road to maintain law and order. Additionally, Delhi Traffic Police will deploy 2,500 personnel to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and 250 teams will be tasked with checking drunken driving on New Year’s eve.
To ensure the smooth flow of traffic on New Year’s Eve, the Delhi Police have issued a traffic advisory for a smooth regulation of traffic in the entire national capital, saying people will throng restaurants, malls and other public places on New Year’s eve, which may cause road congestion.According to the police, hidden cameras are installed to catch the violators as part of a special drive across Delhi. Vehicular traffic will not be allowed in the inner, middle, or outer circle of Connaught Place except for those carrying valid passes.
“We have prepared two different shifts for deployment. First shit will start from 5 pm to midnight 12 am. Another shift will be 12 am to 6 am,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said. Police have also made elaborate security arrangements to prevent stunt-biking and hooliganism on the New Year eve. “I will not allow any motorcycle rider showing stunt or triple riding at any cost. Our teams will impound motorcycle immediately if anyone found guilty and strict action will be ensured,” said the DCP Tirkey. Another senior police officer said that more than 10,000 police personnel -- from traffic and different unit of the Delhi Police -- will keep a strict vigil on December 31.
Special Commissioner of Police (traffic) SS Yadav said the traffic moving towards Connaught Place will be regulated after 8 pm on Sunday. “Around 2,500 traffic personnel will be deployed for smooth vehicular movement and 250 teams will be deployed to check drunken driving. Around 450 motorcycles will also be positioned at different places,” Yadav said. “Dangerous and stunt driving or riding will not be tolerated. Vehicles will be towed away if found parked improperly,” Yadav said. Police will also carry alcometres to determine whether or not a person has alcohol in his blood, he added.
Adequate personnel will be deployed in the areas where high footfall is expected, police said. “Around 450 motorcycles will also be positioned at different places,” said the Special Commissioner. Another police officer said that they have already strengthened the security at high-footfall market areas.
“To ensure the safety of the common man and prevent hooliganism or traffic violations on the occasion of New Year, we have already identified more than 500 vulnerable points. Special checking teams will be deployed at 287 major intersections and 233 drunken points (vulnerable points) to detect and prosecute traffic violations,” said the officer. Police urged people not to drink and drive on New Year and observe traffic signals and stay within prescribed speed limits.
“Not to indulge in racing or competition with other vehicles. Especially two-wheeler riders to wear helmets and avoid triple-riding and not indulge in reckless, dangerous or zig-zag driving,” a senior police officer of south district said.
As per traffic police advisory, no vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond Mandi House roundabout, Bengali Market roundabout, north foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover (Barakhamba Road - Tolstoy Marg Crossing), Minto Road - Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg crossing, Chelmsford Road, near Munje Chowk (New Delhi Railway Station), RK Ashram Marg - Chitragupta Marg Crossing, Gole Market roundabout, New Delhi GPO roundabout, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road - Ferozshah Road Crossing, Jai Singh Road - Bangla Sahib Lane, Panchkuian Road - Bangla Sahib Lane, Windsor place roundabout, Buta Singh Marg roundabout, and State Entry Road - New Delhi Railway Station.
Motorists can park their vehicles at the following places in the vicinity of Connaught Place: Near Gole Dak Khana on Kali Bari Marg, Pt. Pant Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, near Patel Chowk on Rakab Ganj Road behind AIR, Mandi House on Copernicus Marg up to Baroda House, Minto Road on Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg and Press Road area, Panchkuian Road on RK Ashram Marg, Chitragupta Road and Basant Road towards Paharganj, and KG Marg - Ferozshah Road Crossing on Copernicus Lane as well as KG Marg towards C Hexagon.
According to the advisory, parking will also be allowed near the Bengali market roundabout on Babar Road and Tansen Marg, Windsor Place on Rajender Prasad Road and Raisina Road, Gole Market at Peshwa Road, Service Road along Bhai Veer Singh Marg and RK Ashram Road, and near Buta Singh roundabout on Jantar Mantar Road and Raisina Road.
Limited parking space will be available near Connaught Place on a first come first serve basis. Improperly parked vehicles will be towed away and prosecuted. Alternative routes have been made for commuters travelling to New Delhi Railway Station. Routes to the Old Delhi Railway Station, though, will not be affected.
People can travel via Ram Manohar Lohiya Park Street, Mandir Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan roundabout, and Deshbandhu Gupta Road. Commuters can also use the GPO roundabout, Kali Bari Marg, Mandir Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan roundabout, and Deshbandhu Gupta Road. The third option is the Winsor Place roundabout, Ferozeshah Road, Mandi House, ‘W’ Point, ‘A’ Point, DDU Marg and BHAV Bhuti Marg.
Entry from Connaught Place, Chelmsford Road shall be prohibited. The traffic police advisory said that motorists can take the second entry gate of Ajmeri Gate side. They can reach the station via Paharganj, Shiela Cinema or through Ajmeri Gate, JLN Marg side via BSZ Marg, Delhi Gate, and JLN Marg.
Commuters can take the Ring Road from ISBT to the Ashram or via Delhi Gate, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Mathura Road to reach Ashram and vice-versa or via ISBT, Rani Jhansi Marg, Panchkuian Road, Mandir Marg, Park Street, Mother Teresa Crescent Road & beyond or via Rani Jhansi Marg, Panchkuian Road, Hanuman Murti, Ring Road.
The Noida Police also issued a traffic advisory for December 31, cautioning the public about diversions that will come up near crowded markets and shopping malls on New Year’s Eve.
