Notwithstanding chilly weather in the national Capital, hundreds of revellers, soaked in festive spirit, thronged markets, restaurants, malls and multiplexes on Saturday to usher in the New Year, even as police maintained a watchful eye to avert any untoward incident. Several public places were decked up with lighting and balloons as people gathered to bid adieu to 2016 and welcome 2017.
Malls and multiplexes, from Connaught Place to Saket City Walk, teemed with revellers, despite the mercury settling at 10.5 degrees Celsius.
Other famous market places and party hotspots like Nehru Place, Khan Market, Rajouri Garden, also witnessed people arriving by droves, as these places were illuminated thus adding to the spirit of celebrations, which will reach the crescendo at the stroke of the midnight hour.
In order to ensure hassle-free experience on roads, traffic police has made elaborate arrangements on various routes across the city with special focus on areas in the vicinity of Connaught Place.
Traffic officials would be present till the wee hours to check any flouting of rules during the year-end revelries.
Among several restrictions imposed in the heart of Delhi, no vehicle will be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond certain points including Mandi House, Bengali Market, DDU Marg crossing, GPO and Patel Chowk, an official said.