Mumbai turns into party zone on New Year's Eve

MUMBAI: Fingers crossed for a happy and healthy 2023, thousands of Mumbaikars converged at Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Gorai and Madh Island on Saturday evening. Many chose to begin New Year with a visit to religious places like Mumbadevi and Siddhivinayak temples, Haji Ali Dargah and churches.
Outside of Mumbai, Shirdi Sai Mandir drew large crowds. Resort towns of Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Raigad, Sindhudurg and Goa were filled with holiday-makers.
Stargazing is a favourite pastime around New Year given that the skies are clear and weather is pleasant. Khagol Mandal arranged a free 'Planet Watch' event with six telescopes at Savarkar Smarak, Shivaji Park, from 6.30-9.30pm on Sunday. Abhay Deshpande, honorary secretary of the mandal said, "In this month, we can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn along with our moon in the evening sky."
Mumbai Police organised a massive bandobast for safe celebrations on NY's Eve, where 10,000 personnel fanned out across the city as revellers started to gather at watering holes and iconic sites to make merry. Over 100 traffic checkpoints were put up to keep a check on rash driving and drunk driving.
In an Instagram Live session earlier in the day, Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar said the north-bound arm of Marine Drive would be kept shut for traffic after 9pm. He added that depending on crowds, restrictions will be imposed on traffic movement from Regal Cinema Junction to Gateway of India. "Traffic is likely to be slow as midnight approaches," he said.
Traffic police are using breathalysers to check drunk drivers after two years. The breathalysers had been put away in 2020 and 2021 due to concerns of Covid-19 spreading. Motorists suspected of drunk driving were sent to hospitals for blood tests, which was a time-consuming and cumbersome process.
Phansalkar said, "Our men in plainclothes are out keeping a watch to ensure that women are not harassed."
GRP put out a bandobast of 6,000 personnel as several families are taking trains to travel to places of interest.
BMC also made arrangements for New Year celebrations at Gateway. tnn