Bengaluru: The Central Business District (CBD) and other areas frequented by party-goers will have significant police presence as the city welcomes the New Year 2017. Over 16,000 policemen, including 40 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons and 30 City Armed Reserve (CAR) battalions, will be deployed across the city.
“Even the elite anti-terror commando force, Garuda, will be strategically placed near party spots. We have already conducted several anti-sabotage checks at party hotspots,” said Police Commissioner N.S. Megharik.
However, senior officers denied that there is any intelligence alert of a possible terror attack. Anti-sabotage checks had become the norm following the Church Street blast in 2014.
Over 10 watch-towers and 100 CCTV cameras will help police monitor the CBD. Policemen in plainclothes will be deployed. Several drones fitted with night vision equipment will also be put to use, a senior officer overseeing the security detail said.
Traffic restrictions
No entry between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.
M.G. Road: From Anil Kumble junction to junction with Residency Road near Mayo Hall.
Brigade Road: Cauvery Emporium Junction till Opera Junction
Church Street: Brigade Road junction till Museum Road junction
Museum Road: M.G. Road junction to Old Madras Bank Road junction
Rest House Road: Museum Road junction to Brigade Road junction
Kamaraj Road: Cauvery Emporium junction to Cubbon Road junction
Kamaraj Road: Cubbon Road junction to Arts and Crafts Emporium
Residency Cross Road: Residency Road to M.G. Road (Shankarnag Theatre junction)
Traffic diversions
* After 8 p.m., vehicles going from Queen’s Statue junction on M.G. Road towards Halasuru must turn left at Anil Kumble Circle, turn right into Cubbon Road at B.R.V. Junction and join M.G. Road near Webb’s junction.
*After 8 p.m., vehicles coming from Trinity Circle on M.G. Road should turn right at Webbs Junction, turn left into Cubbon Road and proceed.
a) Vehicles proceeding from Halasuru to Cantonment side must turn right near Trinity Circle and enter Halasuru road, turn left at Dickenson Road and proceed towards Cubbon Road.
b) Parking of vehicle is allowed on both sides of Kamaraja Road from Kamaraja Road junction to Commercial Street junction.
c) Motorists can park on 1st floor of BMTC shopping complex in Shivajinagar Bus Stand.
* No movement on flyovers between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on 1/1/2017.
No Parking*
M.G. Road: Anil Kumble junction up to Trinity Circle
Brigade Road: Arts and Crafts junction up to Opera Junction
Church Street: Junction of Brigade Road up to St. Mark’s Road
Rest House Road: From junction of Brigade Road up to Museum Road
Museum Road: From junction of M.G. Road up to junction with Old Madras Bank Road
*vehicles parked on these roads must be removed before 4 p.m.
Walking restrictions on Brigade Road
Pedestrians can walk from the M.G. Road side to Opera Junction but not in the opposite direction. To go to M.G. Road, use Residency Road Cross (adjoining Shankarnag Theatre).
Transport options
Metro timings extended to 2 a.m. Frequency is 30 minutes.
BMTC to operate BIG 10 services till 2 am from M.G. Road to Kadugodi, Sarjapura, Electronics City, Bannerghatta National Park, Kengeri, Janapriya Township, Nelamangala, Yelahanka Upanagara, R.K. Hegde Nagar, Bagalur and Hoskote. All night services will be operational.
Quote Hanger
We will ensure there is no drunken driving from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Saturday-Sunday. There will be special squads to check drag racing. We request citizens to use public transport or cabs after partying
— R. Hitendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic)