New Year 2023: Massive Manali Jam, Mumbai Traffic Curbs as Indians Prep for Mega Festivity

The rising Covid cases and the New Year Celebration, both coinciding at the same time, have left authorities on toes. While security arrangements are being made across Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities, cops are also ensuring there’s no overcrowding at place designed to pull crowd.

Your One-Stop Guide to All New Year-Related Updates:   

>>New Year Gift: Bars, Restaurants in 5 and 4-Star Hotels to Stay Open 24×7 As Delhi Eases Licensing Norms 

>>Political Drama, Tourists Trapped Midair, Tainted IAS Officer – the Year That Was for Jharkhand

Hapless tourists stranded mid-air after a ropeway accident, scores of MLAs being holed up in resorts in a neighbouring state amid political uncertainty and a bitter fall from grace of an IAS officer – Jharkhand remained witness to a year filled with myriad developments in 2022.

Incidents like torture of a tribal domestic help by a now-suspended BJP ‘Mahila Morcha’ worker, and the state capital coming under the grip of violence following controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, also grabbed headlines during the year.

>>Moose Wala’s Death to Kerala’s ‘Human Sacrifice’, Shraddha’s Murder: Brutal & Bizarre Crimes of 2022

From dismembering a woman and storing her body parts in a fridge to acid thrown on a girl student by her scorned friend and tales of “human sacrifice” in Kerala, 2022 has been a year of brutal and bizarre crimes that make one think about the extent of a criminal act. News18 has listed out worst crimes of 2022 that made headlines. READ MORE 

>>Security Beefed Up, Special Trains to Run as Mumbai Gets Ready for New Year’s Eve Revelry

As Mumbai gears up to ring in the new year without any COVID-19 restrictions after two years, the police on Saturday beefed up security across the city to prevent any untoward incident.

Besides this, to ensure smooth travel for Mumbaikars on the New Year’s Eve, the Railways and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), have announced special services after midnight on December 31.

>>Maa Vindhyavasini Dham Geared Up for Heavy New Year Rush

Anticipating heavy rush at Maa Vindhyavasini Dham on the New Year, the district authorities have made elaborate arrangements till January 2, 2023, to ensure a smooth entry and exit of the devotees.

District Magistrate Divya Mittal has deployed the Zonal and Sector Magistrate for proper management of the crowd in and around Vindhyachal from December 31 to January 2, 2023, an order said on Saturday.

>>UP Police Tightens Security to Ensure Trouble-free New Year Celebrations

Tightening security ahead of New Year celebrations, the Uttar Pradesh police has issued directives to all security personnel and deployed adequate number of patrolling vehicles at crowded places to prevent any law and order situation in the state.

“In order to celebrate New Year in a peaceful manner, we have issued state- wise directives to all police personnel. We have instructed the officers to ensure there is no ruckus in the state, especially at malls, market places, clubs and bars,” Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said.

“We have deployed the police force in adequate numbers in these places, both in uniform and civil dress. Moreover, police teams will be placed at every major crossing with breath analysers to check drunken driving cases,” he said.

>>Himachal: Atal Tunnel Craze, Snowfall in Manali Increase Tourist Footfall in Kullu on New Year

Snowfall in Manali, craze to see Atal Tunnel and no entry to tourist vehicles without bookings in Shimla city has increased the tourist footfall in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on New Year.

Tourists are flocking to Atal Tunnel (Rohtang) and it has increased the footfall in the twin districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kullu besides snowfall in Manali is a major attraction, president of Manali Hoteliers’ Association Mukesh Thakur said, adding the occupancy is about 90 percent.

Gondola at Solang, Igloo stays in Hamta, winter sports activities in and around Manali, skiing and snowboarding courses offered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Manali too are the major tourist attractions, he said.

However, he said the huge rush of vehicles is not converted into the room occupancy as a large number of people from outside the state have taken properties on lease and are running accommodations as tourism units without registration. These illegal properties are offering rooms on heavy discounts, Thakur added.

>>Goodbye 2022, Welcome 2023: Heartfelt NY Wishes, Images, Facebook and WhatsApp Messages

GOODBYE 2022, WELCOME 2023: Hey there, it is to time to say hello to 2023. From making resolutions to setting financial goals, people look forward to the year with the utmost zeal and excitement. Oh, and, on top of that, we have the wishes. READ MORE

>>New Year’s Eve 2022: Google Prepares For Year-End With Animated Doodle

Today’s Google Doodle celebrates New Year’s Eve, a time to reminisce about 2022 and look forward to a fresh start in 2023. Whether you’re setting off fireworks or setting goals for next year, here’s to the great things to come in 2023! READ MORE

>>Ideas To Host the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party

For most of us New Year’s Eve 2022, means – long queues to get to pubs, traffic jams, and crowds gathered every way you turn, eager to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Steer clear of the hype this year and throw a party of your own. What’s better than standing and waiting outside your favourite restaurant to get a slot? Staying in and welcoming 2023 with your favourite people around. Read More 

>>A Jam-Packed New Year in Himachal  

Thousands of tourists flocked to different locations across Himachal Pradesh. The result, however, was delayed travel time, massive traffic across all major roads to Himachal. On Friday, in a four-hour-long traffic rescue operation, security agencies rescued around 400 vehicles that were stuck in Atal tunnel. Over the past few days, over 20,000 vehicles have crossed the area.

Also Read: Goodbye 2022, Welcome 2023: Heartfelt Happy New Year Wishes, Images, Facebook and WhatsApp Messages

>>Goa Gets Busier as World Arrives to Celebrate Christmas, New Year

Goa is witnessing extra rush on its roads and beaches as holidaymakers from foreign countries are arriving in the coastal state in large numbers to usher in Christmas and New Year.

Hotels in the state are almost full, the hospitality industry sources said. The government’s decision not to impose any COVID-19-related restrictions has helped the mood.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday clarified that the state will not impose any pandemic-related restriction till January 2, 2023, but appealed people to take precautions on their own.

>>Kolkata New Year Traffic Restriction

Several roads around Kolkata’s party zone, Park Street, have been diverted on New Year’s eve and January 1.

Traffic Restrictions: A report from The Telegraph said, that Park Street will be open to both side traffic from 2am on Tuesday. The road will remain one-way on December 31 and January 1. It will remain one-way till then.

The report mentioned that traffic on adjoining roads, Theatre Road, Camac Street and Middleton Street, will be regulated to one-way. Police said traffic restrictions could be imposed on Park Street, Camac Street, Free School Street, Wood Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Middleton Street, Little Russell Street, Russell Street, Kyd Street and Royd Street depending upon the volume of traffic.

Cops will also not allow parking of vehicles on these roads on Saturday. As many as 3,000 cops will be deployed in and around Park Street for night duty on December 31.

>>Karnataka Mandates Masks at Certain Places For NYE Celebrations

Stepping up preventive measures in the wake of spurt in Covid-19 cases globally, the Karnataka government on Monday mandated the use of masks at cinema theatres and educational institutions and asked sections of population including the elders to avoid crowded gatherings.

Two doses of covid vaccination is compulsory at bars, restaurants and pubs, which will operate only up to the seating capacity for the New Year, celebrations for which should end by 1 am on January 1, it said.

Further, masks have been made compulsory at places where large crowds gather for New Year, which the children, pregnant women and senior citizens have been advised to avoid.

>>Traffic Restriction on New Year’s Eve in Bengaluru

To avoid congestion on New Year’s eve, Bengaluru cops have decided to restrict vehicular movement on and around MG Road on December 31 night. Except for vehicles on emergency duty, no other vehicles will be allowed to enter the area from 8pm on December 31 till 1am on January 1 on MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, Church Street, St, Marks Road and Rest House Road.

According to report on Deccan Herald, A curb on parking of vehicles has also been introduced on New Year’s eve. No parking will be allowed in the area from 2pm on December 31 till 3am on January 1. Parking restrictions have been imposed on MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Rest House Road and Museum Road.

>>Major Rush of Tourists in Vaishno Devi

Devotees swell at Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra ahead of New Year 2023.  Various measures are in place at famous Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir to tackle heavy rush of pilgrims and avoid any untoward incident, an official.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has also issued guidelines for strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines as a precautionary measure, the official said.

In a first-ever stampede at the shrine on January 1 this year, 12 pilgrims lost their lives and 16 were injured, prompting the shrine board to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as part of various projects sanctioned for the convenience of the pilgrims, better crowd management and tracking of the yatris along the 13-km track and the ‘Bhawan’ (sanctum sanctorum).

>>Major Police Deployment Around India Gate, Kartavya Path

In Delhi, anticipating a surge in footfall at Kartvaya Path here in view of the New Year celebrations, the local authorities will deploy additional police personnel and have created multiple parking sites to manage the crowd.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Friday said all the arrangements have been made ahead of time to ensure that people can enjoy the New Year safely and the crowd does not pose any security problems. According to officials, Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements at and around India Gate to regulate traffic — both vehicular and pedestrian.

In case of heavy pedestrian movement, vehicles may not be allowed to enter the C-Hexagon and India Gate area and diverted, the traffic police said in an advisory.

>>Delhi Police Identifies 125 Spots Prone to Drink-driving 

Delhi Police has identified 125 spots prone to drink-driving as part of efforts to keep a vigil on revellers on New Year’s eve on Saturday and deploy nearly 1,900 traffic personnel to identify violators, an official said. Alcometers will be used to issue challans to violators, the police said.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Yadav said, “Around 1,850 personnel from Traffic Police will be deployed along with local police staff for joint checking for which the points have been identified.

“We have identified around 125 points of drink-and-drive where the teams will be deployed.” There are around 45 major spots across the national capital where New Year celebrations take place. There will be focus on these spots, the police said. Of the 657 challans issued on New Year’s eve last year, 36 were related to drink-driving, they said.

Personnel in large numbers will be deployed at places with heavy footfall, including party hubs such as Connaught Place, Chanakyapuri and Hauz Khas, they said.

>>Over 18,000 Police Personnel to Be Deployed to Ensure Safe New Year Celebrations in Delhi

The Delhi Police on Thursday said more than 18,000 of its personnel from district and traffic units will be deployed across the national capital to ensure security during New Year celebrations.

The traffic will be restricted at Connaught Place from 8 pm on Saturday and alcometer will be used for the drunk driving challans.

Special Commissioner of Police (law and order) Dependra Pathak said, “Police have made adequate security arrangements. Over 16,500 personnel from local police will be deployed across the city on Saturday in view of the New Year celebrations. More than 20 companies from outside forces will be given to different districts.

>>Restaurants Gear Up for New Year Celebrations, Expect Bumper Business After 2-year Covid Lull

From decking up their outlets to hiring extra staff and setting things up for live musical performances, restaurants across the national capital are gearing up to welcome guests for the New Year celebrations.

With 2023 just two days away, the restaurateurs are excited for what they expect to be a bumper week for the hospitality industry, which was one of the worst-hit by the multiple waves of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past three years, the pandemic forced many restaurants to shut down permanently or let go many of their staff. The celebrations were eclipsed for the past two years. Things have changed now! Zen at Connaught Place, which is one of the longstanding Asian restaurants plating authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes, has hired extra staff and is in all readiness to welcome revellers.

“We had decorated all our restaurants during pre-Christmas celebrations keeping in mind new year. We are all geared up to receive people here in our restaurants. We have already hired extra staff since the turnover is expected to be much higher this festive season,” Manpreet Singh, the owner of the Zen restaurant, told PTI.

>>Over 8,500 Police Personnel to Man Bengaluru for New Year

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy on Thursday said more than 8,500 police personnel will be manning the city to see to it that no untoward incident takes place during the New Year celebration, and that the 1 AM deadline for celebrations will be strictly followed.

The special focus will be on the safety of women and children, he said, cautioning against unauthorised use of loudspeakers and music systems and violation of rules.

“For the New Year bandobust across the city, a total of 8,500 police personnel and officials has been deployed for maintenance of law and order, other than this the entire staff and officials of the traffic division will be on duty,” Reddy said.

>>More Than 11,500 Cops to Be Deployed for Security in Mumbai on New Year’s Eve

Mumbai Police will deploy more than 11,500 security personnel at key locations in the city to avoid any untoward incident on the New Year’s Eve, an official said on Thursday.

The police are expecting large gatherings near the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Bandstand in suburban Bandra and other prominent locations here on December 31.

Accordingly, security arrangements have been made to avoid any law and order problem, the official said.

>>Mumbai: CR to Run Four Special Local Train Services on New Year’s Eve

Four special services of suburban local trains will be operated on the New Year’s eve in Mumbai for the convenience of late-night revellers, the Central Railway informed on Wednesday.

Two special services will be operated on the main line between CSMT and Kalyan stations, while another two services will be operated on the Harbour line between CSMT and Panvel, it said in a release.

A special service on the main line will depart CSMT at 1.30 am and reach Kalyan 3 am on the intervening night between December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, while another special service will depart Kalyan at 1.30 am and arrive at CSMT at 3.00 am.

A special service on Harbour line will depart CSMT at 1.30 am and reach Panvel at 2.50 am, while another special train will depart Panvel at 1.30 am and arrive at CSMT at 2.50 am.

Original news source