Mumbai traffic and city police set to ensure your Happy New Year revelry

Nishit Mishra, then additional CP South region, walks with members of the force in a huge crowd gathered at Marine Drive on December 31, 2019. File pic

The Mumbai traffic police have geared up for New Year's Eve bandobast with more than 100 check points across the city. Moving check points and checks near restaurants will be key for traffic and city cops. Instructions have been issued to all cops to ensure smooth traffic with zero untoward incidents on the roads.

This year's New Year celebrations will be without restrictions post the reduction of Covid-19 cases. The city police anticipate more crowds at food joints, restaurants and pubs this year. To ensure smooth traffic movement and zero accidents, the entire traffic department along with police station personnel will be on the roads from the evening of December 31.

"This year there will be pre-pandemic bandobast and we anticipate citizens will hit the roads to welcome the New Year. To make it safe and hassle free, traffic cops have prepared themselves. Instructions have been issued to cops and meetings with various stakeholders have been taken by the Joint Commissioner (traffic)," said Nisar Tamboli, Additional Commissioner (Traffic).

Also Read: A curated list of NYE parties across Mumbai

This year, breathalysers will be used to detect drunk driving. "Special check points will be also arranged across hubs like Kamala Mills, Raghuvanshi Mills, BKC and other areas where citizens are likely to visit restaurants and pubs. We intend to make sure that if there are violators, they get caught before they hit major roads, which will avert accidents," said another official.

Moving check points

Many motorists anticipate traffic cops' check points on various roads on New Year's Eve and avoid them. To catch drunk drivers, the police will keep moving the check points at different locations. There will be few major check points on the main roads and vital junctions, but on arterial roads, which are mostly used by motorists to evade checks, there will be moving check points.

Staff safety priority

Instructions have been given to all the officers and constables to wear reflector jackets during the bandobast. Police staff have also been told not to argue with the motorists and inform local police station officers in case of altercations. "The police have also been told not to intercept speeding vehicles, but to take pictures and note down the registration numbers for action. We want to ensure the safety of our staff too," said a senior police officer.

No parking at Worli sea face

Parking of all types of motor vehicles will be prohibited from Khan Abdul Gafar Khan Junction (Mela Junction) to J.K Kapoor Chowk on December 30 and from midnight on December 31 to January 1, 6 am on both South and North bound roads.

Drink and drive cases
Year No. of cases
2018 455
2019 778
2020 35
2021 18