Traffic Curbs, Tight Security in Vizag for New Year Celebrations
The city police have announced traffic restrictions and stepped-up security measures ahead of New Year celebrations in Visakhapatnam.
Police will close the Beach Road stretch from Park Hotel Junction to the NTR Statue to all vehicles from 8 pm on December 31 to 5 am on January 1. Officials expect heavy crowds along the beachfront on New Year’s Eve.
Several stretches of the BRTS corridor will also see restrictions. Police will close the middle lane from Hanumanthawaka Junction to Adavivaram, Gosala to Vepagunta, and Pendurthi to Convent Junction via NAD Junction. Emergency vehicles will use the service roads. The middle lane between Maddilapalem Junction and Rama Talkies, along with the underpass near the RTC Complex, will remain closed as well. Authorities will also shut the Telugu Thalli flyover during the same period.
Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi warned that the department will take strict action against anyone harassing women in the name of New Year greetings or using obscene language. Police will register criminal cases and arrest offenders.
To strengthen security, the department will deploy drone cameras along the beach and nearby areas. Police have banned firecrackers on the beach. They will also stop visitors from entering the sea at night. The Commissioner urged people to stay alert to chain snatchers in crowded places.
‘She Teams’ will patrol sensitive areas, including Novotel Junction, RK Beach, Bheemunipatnam, Gajuwaka, and Pendurthi. Women facing any inconvenience can approach these teams for immediate help.
Meanwhile, police will conduct intensive checks against drunken driving across the city. Drunk driving can attract a fine of ₹10,000, jail for up to six months, or both. Authorities may also suspend the driving licence for at least three months or cancel it permanently.
Police have banned minors from driving. In such cases, they will fix responsibility on vehicle owners. Special teams will also monitor youths riding two-wheelers with modified silencers, overspeeding, dangerous driving, and racing gangs.