All roads leading to Connaught Place, including KG Marg, Parliament Street, Barakhamba Road, and Janpath, were closed to traffic, with police directing commuters to alternative routes. This led to heavy traffic congestion in central Delhi.
In addition to Connaught Place, intensive vehicle checks were conducted at key locations across the city, such as Hauz Khas and Saket in south Delhi, Vikas Marg in east Delhi, and Rajouri Garden in west Delhi, to prevent any untoward incidents, according to a senior police officer.
Breath analyzers were used to check for drunk driving near Connaught Place and other areas. Sensitive locations were patrolled on foot, and bikes were deployed in narrow lanes. Drones were also employed to monitor and maintain law and order.
A senior officer emphasized that the focus was on motorists flouting traffic rules. “Around 50 teams equipped with alcometers have been deployed at key locations to monitor and prosecute drunk drivers. Picket staff at various points have also been provided alcometers,” the officer said.
Approximately 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city, including at border areas. Additional traffic police were stationed at popular celebration spots like Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, and India Gate.
Crowds gathered in various areas, particularly Connaught Place, where special arrangements were in place. Restrictions in the Connaught Place area were enforced until the end of the celebrations, allowing only vehicles with valid stickers after 8 PM. Ten designated spots in the area prohibited vehicle entry.
At India Gate, staff were deployed at 14 points, and restrictions were imposed to prevent overcrowding. Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited several locations across the city to oversee the arrangements.
In south Delhi, traffic near Select City Mall was regulated, with diversions at Sheikh Sarai red light and Asian Market light. All median cuts between Sheikh Sarai and Hauz Rani were closed, and heavy vehicles and DTC/Cluster buses were prohibited on Press Enclave Road.
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Increased security measures in New Delhi included two ambulance vans, two fire tenders, two jail vans, bomb disposal teams, door-frame metal detectors, SWAT teams, Prakram vehicles, motorcycle patrols, foot-patrolling teams, border pickets, vehicle-checking parties, plain-clothed spotters, and arrest teams. Buses heading toward Connaught Place were diverted, and two doctors were deployed to conduct medical examinations of drunk drivers.
In east Delhi, 41 high-visibility pickets were set up, along with 19 dedicated to preventing drunk driving. Key areas such as Preet Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, and Mayur Vihar received special attention, with enhanced patrolling on sensitive routes, including Vikas Marg, NH-24, and Pushta Road, according to DCP East, Abhishek Dhania.
Dhania added that 21 public spaces, including restaurants, bars, clubs, malls, and markets, were being closely monitored, with 32 motorcycles deployed for patrolling.
(With inputs from PTI)
