Delhi Police gear up to keep a check on drunken revelry

New Delhi: No hiccups this New Year as the men in khaki will be watching over you. In a bid to deter people from driving in a drunken state, the Delhi traffic police has issued an advisory for all the mall management, pub owners, bars and restaurants to extend their services to their customers and visitors urging them to go the Uber and Ola way.

Also, to keep a hawk-eye, over 3,000 traffic policemen will be guarding the city streets for the safety and security of the Delhiites. Speaking to this correspondent, special commissioner of police (traffic) Ajay Kashyap said: “We have issued an advisory to the mall management, pubs, bars and restaurant owners to provide cab services to their drunk revellers so that any mishap or road trag-edy can be averted. This in turn will boost the revellers’ confidence in their local or preferred places.”

“We have received a positive feedback from a few places and from party hosts in this connection. Also, we have asked the private app-based cab aggregators to keep drivers on standby so that if there are heavy bookings, these standby drivers can pitch in for the commuter’s safety,” he added.

According to another police official, “The new initiative was taken into account to avoid accidents as people often indulge in drunken driving. The move will not only strengthen the customer-proprietor relationship, but will also be safe for scores of people on road. Many hotels have the provision of private cab services where, if one has to commute, one can call or book a cab.”

“It is a sensible move and everyone should make provisions for their customers to reach home safely on occasions like New Year’s eve. The police, in collaboration with private app-based cab aggregators, should run such campaigns ensuring the security and safety of the people,” said Shraddha Seth, a Mass Comm student.  

Meanwhile, Delhi traffic police has made elaborate traffic arrangements for city denizens and have deployed its men in every nook of the city. Touted as one of the preferred party destinations in Delhi, Connaught Place, which attracts a large gathering, will have over 1,200 traffic policemen managing the traffic at 14 roads connecting the area. The traffic arrangements would be made especially near malls, crowded places, markets and in areas where the celebrations are organised. Movement of private and public transport will also be restricted in areas like Connaught Place from 8 pm till the conclusion of New Year celebrations.

Some special arrangements have been made for the areas in the vicinity of Central Delhi’s Connaught Place; South Delhi’s Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, Malviya Nagar, Defence Colony, Hauz Khas, R.K. Puram, Nehru Place, and Vasant Vihar; West Delhi’s Rajouri Garden, Dwarka, and Model Town; East Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, Vikas Marg, and other areas.

Police have similar traffic management in other selected areas where people celebrate New Year. “We have plans to divert the traffic and deploy strong arrangements with the help of additional police force,” said Mr Kashyap.