The New Year celebrations across the city passed without any untoward incident.
Though the revelry was largely incident-free barring minor scuffles in a few areas, the police had a tough time in controlling a few bikers who indulged in drag racing on arterial roads in the town. As many as 13 minor accidents were reported across the city, police said.
Revellers who had come from neighbouring States to the city were spoilt for choice as hotels, restaurants and event management teams threw their doors open to more than two dozen New Year-eve parties across the region, attracting residents and tourists in large numbers.
Residents also queued up for private parties organised by associations and clubs. The Puducherry Excise Department had extended the deadline permitting bars, hotels and restaurants to serve liquor till 1.00 a.m.
Traffic updates
For the first time, the Puducherry police used Google Maps to provide real-time updates on the traffic scenario. With heavy influx of tourists, the police deployed five drones as part of the crowd monitoring measures.
Volunteers including NCC cadets and Children Traffic Corps joined the traffic police to divert vehicles to the designated parking spaces. The entire White Town was barricaded allowing only pedestrians to reach the promenade. Two youths who had gathered at the Beach Promenade created a flutter by climbing on a granite pillar near the Gandhi statue.
The Puducherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) also operated special services from the parking spaces to the beach road.
Several luxury hotels were illuminated and lined up a series of events to attract revellers for the New Year. Along with domestic tourists, foreigners also joined in the celebrations that lasted till 1 a.m. Thousands gathered at Puducherry’s most popular spot, the Beach Promenade.
Auspicious start
Devotees thronged various temples here on the early hours of Wednesday on account of New Year to pray that 2019 brings peace and prosperity. The sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple was thrown open to the public 4 a.m. for darshan. Special abhishegams were performed to the presiding deity and thousands of devotees waited in queues for more than five hours for darshan since morning. Long queues were also seen at Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Midnight mass and prayers were also held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Sacred Heart Church in the town.