What Bengaluru should know as they plan to party this New Years' Eve.
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New Year’s Eve last year saw Bengaluru cast into national limelight, but not for the right reasons. Multiple cases of molestation came to light from that night and were even caught on CCTV camera. In fact, within the first seven days of 2017, seven cases of molestation were reported in the city.
With the New Year’s Eve approaching, memories of these shameful incidents last year have raised questions about how authorities are going to handle security arrangements this year.
There have been talks of gender-based segregation of crowds on Brigade road and installation of 500 CCTV cameras, but with little clarity.
TNM spoke to relevant authorities. And here are the security arrangements being put in place for New Year’s Eve 2018.
1. No gender-based segregation at Brigade road
Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told TNM that contrary to reports, there wouldn’t be gender-based segregation on Brigade road.
“At that point of time, when hundreds of people are there, it will be difficult for us to check IDs. People will come with their friends, families or partners. It would be a challenge to figure out how people are related,” he said.
2. 15,000 policemen to patrol the city
Elaborate security arrangements are being made to ensure that incidents like that of last year do not repeat.
A total of 15,000 policemen will be patrolling the city on the night of December 31, 2017. 500 hoysala vehicles will also be on the roads.
Reddy also said that 2,000 police personnel will be deployed at Brigade and MG roads alone.
3. Bars and pubs to shut down earlier
Honnagiri Gowda, Karnataka Wine Merchants Association President, told TNM that the police have given bars a deadline of 12.30 am to shut down. This comes even as bars in cities like Mumbai are being given extended deadlines for New Year’s Eve.
Usually, Bengaluru’s watering holes can stay open till 1 am.
“If we want to stay open post 12.30 am, we have to pay an hourly fee. We haven’t been intimated about the amount yet,” Gowda said. He adds that it is important for the police to implement these deadlines stringently on pubs and bars.
4. More CCTV surveillance
500 more CCTV cameras will be added for surveillance to the existing network.
Of these, 300 will be on MG road and Brigade road. Lighting will also be enhanced on these roads with electric lights, in addition to street lights .
5. No large gatherings or parking in some areas
People will not be allowed to gather on MG road, Brigade road and Church Street.
Vehicle parking will also not be allowed on Cubbon road, in addition to the above three.
6. Strict action against trouble makers
Women and children will be given special assistance on New Year’s Eve and stringent action will be taken against those who misbehave with them.
The security personnel will also be keeping vigilant watch for people who drink and drive post 9 pm.
7. Extended metro timings
UA Vasanth Rao, Chief PRO, BMRCL said that the metro timings have been extended to 2am for New Year’s Eve.
“The last train from Baiyapannahalli to Mysuru road will depart at 2am. Similarly, another train from Mysuru road to Baiyapannahalli will also depart at 2am. The same holds for the green line,” Rao said.
A larger number of Security personnel will be deployed at Indira Nagar, Trinity and MG road metro stations as well.