To maintain law & order during celebrations on New Year's Eve, the Delhi Police on Wednesday beefed up its security across the national Capital. Meanwhile, the fire tender deployment and elaborate traffic arrangements will be in the areas where high footfall is anticipated such as Connaught Place.

Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said that this year, the public gathering will be subjected to coronavirus protocol.

“Police presence will be strengthened in the area of markets, malls, five-star hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars, in order to ensure orderly celebrations,” said police.

The Delhi Traffic Police said they are not using alcometer, but keeping an eye on drunk and drive cases. “Police will medically examine if a person is found to be drunk and the action will be taken accordingly,” said a senior police official.

“We are not using alcometer due to the COVID-19, but if someone found in inebriate condition, then we will medically examine him and the action will be taken accordingly. We also want people to follow the COVID-19 guidelines,” said Manish Kumar Agarwal, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic.

“Police teams have asked the restaurants and bars to operate with 50 per cent of their capacity. The bouncers have been informed not to indulge in the fight and approach police instead,” said Dr Eish Singhal, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district.

“The police presence has been intensified at several places in south Delhi, including Mehrauli, Ansal Plaza, south extension markets and GK market, where people gather for the new year celebration. The restaurant owners have been asked to follow the COVID-19 guidelines. They have also been asked for the safety and security of women,” said Atul Kumar Thakur, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South district.

However, limited parking space for vehicles with valid passes will be available in Connaught Place on first come-first serve basis. Unauthorised or wrongly parked vehicles shall be towed away and prosecuted.

The Joint CP, traffic said that alternative routes have been arranged for commuters travelling to New Delhi railway station.

“However, routes to the Old Delhi railway station will not be affected. Traffic arrangements have also been made at areas having high footfall like Saket, Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, New Friends Colony, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, Vasant Vihar, R K Puram, Nehru Place, Dwarka, Palam airport, Rajouri Garden, Ashok Vihar, Model Town and Mayur Vihar,” the advisory stated.

“Motorists should use alternative routes for north–south movement which include Ring Road from ISBT to Ashram or via Delhi Gate, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Mathura Road to reach Ashram and vice-versa or via ISBT, Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Mandir Marg, Park Street, Mother Teresa Crescent Road and beyond or via Rani Jhansi Marg, Punchkuyan Road, Hanuman Murti and Ring Road, it said.

“Ring Road, Bhairon Road, Mathura Road, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, roundabout near R M L, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman Road and Shankar Road have been suggested for commuters using east-west directions, the advisory stated.

“Strict action shall be taken against drunken driving, stunt-biking, over speeding, reckless driving, zig-zag and dangerous driving, it said.

For Friday, the Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements for the area in and around India Gate for regulation of both pedestrian as well as vehicular movement.

“In case of heavy pedestrian movement, vehicles may not be allowed to go through the C-Hexagon, India Gate area, after 10 am and diverted. Visitors are advised to use public transport as there is an acute shortage of parking space at India Gate,” the advisory said.

“In view of the large gathering expected at Delhi Zoo, resulting in congestion on Mathura Road, motorists are advised to avoid Bhairon Road and Mathura Road between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Pragati Maidan,” it added.

According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials, the fire units will be deployed at South Extension market, Lajpat Nagar-II market, Connaught Place Palika Bazaar, Gandhi Nagar market, New Pacific Mall Rajouri Garden, Rani Bagh market, Chhattarpur near Trivoli garden, Majnu  ka Tila, Hauz Khas Village market on New Year Eve from 8.30 pm on Thursday to 12.30 am on Friday.