Happy New Year! Amdavadis cheer fresh start

AHMEDABAD: After two years of nearly muted New Year celebrations, the end of 2022 brought in cheer for Amdavadis as crowds gathered on CG Road and SG Road to ring in the New Year. Across the city, fireworks and small parties marked the arrival of 2023.
Dharmesh Thakkar, a city-based professional, said that while it gets crowded and jams get worse around midnight, all that is part of a ritual of sorts for many like him. "We would hang around spots on places such as CG Road and have food outside. There's a collective energy that one feels when hundreds gather to cheer the New Year," he said. "My wish for 2023 would be Covid-free city, country, and the world. We have suffered enough, and no one wants a repeat of the past couple of years."
City police had a field day with extra deployment for vehicle checking. Senior police officials said that along with breath analyzers, this year they also got the detectors for contraband. Special drives were also carried out to curb the supply of IMFL for New Year parties. With events such as Flower Show, Kankaria Carnival, and Pramukh Swami centenary celebration going on in and around the city, Amdavadis made the most of the weekend as a number of visitors started swelling from late afternoon. Even at places such as Sabarmati Riverfront, crowds were seen.
"Special squads have been formed to ensure that there are no untoward incidents including eve-teasing, pickpocketing, or assault," said a senior city police official. "Police teams will patrol the streets till early hours. Teams will also check instances of drunken driving."
Many thus preferred the comfort of private parties on the city outskirts with small gatherings where they enjoyed the last moments of 2022 with music, food, and dance. Several Amdavadis also decided to go for short 'Year-ender' trips on Saturday and Sunday to nearby destinations.