Tricity braves the cold, warms up to 2019

CHANDIGARH: Police restrictions more or less failed to deter the party fervour of enthusiasts as they made merry on the streets of the Tricity to welcome 2019. Braving the cold, youngsters danced and sang on the streets biding adieu to 2018.

Though Chandigarh Police with a view to make New Year’s Eve safer for residents had declared 10 roads as vehicle-free zone from 10pm to 2am, the orders failed to curb the zest of revellers. Overall, the night went peacefully with just a few incidents of lawlessness being reported from the city roads.

A discotheque at Industrial Area, Chandigarh, on Monday.

Youngsters could be seen roaming on the roads near Aroma hotel crossing, Sector 17, Sukhna Lake, Sector 35 market, opposite bus stand in Sector 22 as the road around main attraction point Elante mall was sealed by the police.

No one was allowed to go near the sealed roads, with police deployed in good numbers. Many people also preferred to remain indoors, celebrating the New Year’s Eve with their families and friends. Traffic police had laid 55 internal nakas and 18 outer border nakas to check drunken driving and violation of traffic rules.

Nine ambulances, eight fire tenders, and eight quick reaction teams were also deployed at different places in the city. A special women squad had been formed under the supervision of Reena Yadav, inspector (law and order), to assist the women. Nine PCR vehicles with women were deployed at different places in the city to act as pick and drop vehicles for women.