Elaborate security arrangements were made along with the deployment of additional police force to maintain order during New Year celebrations in the state as a large number of tourists thronged tourist destinations for the celebrations. Police personnel were witnessed at destinations popular with locals and tourists, market areas and other public places. In the provisional state capital Dehradun, large numbers of tourists were witnessed going to Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and other tourist destinations to celebrate the advent of the New Year.
Hotels and commercial establishments apart from some residential localities in Dehradun city were decorated with lights. Malls, hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments in the city were packed with visitors in a celebratory mood on the eve of the New Year. Dance, competitions and cultural programmes were held at various places-include malls, hotels and other places in the city.
In Mussoorie, the vehicles carrying tourists from neighbouring states like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh started pouring in city in their droves since the noon.
Tourists arriving here to celebrate the New Year in the cool climes of Mussoorie brought a smile on the faces of the hotelier and trader community. The town was decorated with lights, creating a festive mood. Many hotels have made special arrangements to make the celebrations memorable for the revellers. liquor shops in the city were witnessed doing a brisk business as people thronged to purchase their favourite brands for the celebrations.
State additional director general of police (law and order) Ashok Kumar said that the district police chiefs were given necessary instructions to take measures to spruce up security at various places that draw crowds aside from the important government establishments and other places.
In the districts, an elaborated traffic plan was implemented by the city police to decongest traffic on arterial roads. In Dehradun, barricades was placed on Rajpur Road, Jakhan, Mussoorie diversion, Araghar, Patelnagar, Saharanpur Road, Chakrata Road, Mussoorie Road, Race Course and GMS Road for the smooth flow of traffic.
Dehradun senior superintendent of police Nivedita Kukreti said the police were alert to avoid any untoward incident during the New Year celebrations in the city.
A penalty would be slapped on people found guilty of driving without the required papers, number plates, helmets or driving four-wheelers without wearing seat belts. The SSP further said drunken driving and rash driving would not be tolerated at any cost in any part of the city during the New Year celebrations. Traffic policemen were equipped with alcometers to check drunken driving during the celebrations, she said.
The superintendent of police (Traffic) DS Gunjyal said that smooth traffic was witnessed till evening on Sunday and tourists were allowed to go to Mussoorie for new year celebrations. Traffic area had been divided into eight zones, 31 sectors and 96 beats and a total of 248 police officers and police personnel had been deputed to regulate the traffic in the city. The entry of heavy vehicles and tourist buses had been banned from Dehradun to Mussoorie for short notice.
A district administration official said that medical staff had been instructed to pull their socks up for providing immediate treatment to road accident victims. Ambulances were also deployed at various places in the city.