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Mumbai:
Party animals hit the most famous party spots right before
midnight to bid farewell to the old year and ringed in the new
year in style as others enjoyed last day of the year at their
homes, watching television, and munching midnight snacks.
To ensure safe new year celebrations, the Mumbai police made tight
security arrangements across the city. Special attention was paid
to prevent eve-teasing and drunk driving accident.
According to police officials, over 25,000 policemen were on the
streets maintaining strict vigil on new year's eve. Their presence
was more visible at the localities that are infamous for
eve-teasing.
Gateway of India is one such location where most eve-teasing
incidents have taken place over the last few years during the new
year celebrations.
Policemen in plain clothes kept a close watch at sensitive spots
like Gateway of India, and seafronts like Juhu, Girgaum Chowpaty,
Marine Lines, Haji Ali and Dadar.
CCTV cameras were also installed to capture the movement of the
crowd.
However, the party spirit of Mumbaikars did not deter in spite of
the strict police vigil as they bee-lined for the multiple parties
and events all across the city, specially planned for the night to
mark the occasion.
"I have planned to party to the fullest this new year eve and
nothing can keep me at home," said Asha Patel, from suburban
Bandra.
"I have planned to bring in the new year at the Gateway of India
with a gang of pals and then go to a nearby disco and party till
dawn," he added.
This year, though, the hoteliers were happy to rake in more moolah
as the home department issued a circular that they could keep the
restaurants open till 5 a.m., instead of the earlier deadline of
1:30 am.
Orchestra bars were, however, to switch off music and loudspeakers
post 1.30 a.m.
Many have also planned to spend a quieter evening this year end.
"Madding crowd at most public places, never ending queues at
restaurants and past incidents of molestation at public places are
strong deterrents," said Vikram Shah, a resident of suburban
Andheri.
Saumil Sawant, a father to two teenage girls, however, is glad
that there is an increasing trend for housing societies to
organise new year's eve parties right at their doorsteps.
"Being a father of two teenaged daughters, it always scared me to
send them away to some resort or disco," he said.
"This year they both agreed to go to a party at our housing
complex. Thanks to the organisers for making it as good as the
ones at a resort," a glad Sawant added.
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