40,000 cops to be deployed for a safe New Year in Mumbai

In a bid to ensure a safe and secure New Year's celebrations in the city, the Mumbai police have beefed up security measures across the city and will deploy 40,000 police officers and other staff on Monday evening. The staff will be patrolling various areas to ensure that no disruptions are caused.

While addressing the media on Saturday about the security arrangements for New Year's Eve, the police said that officials from the other government agencies will also be working in close collaboration with the local police stations for better surveillance.

"Local armed police force, State Reserve Police Force, Riot Control Police, Quick Response Team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Special Branch, Crime Branch, Mumbai Traffic Police and Home Guard Personnel deployment is ensured in all corners of the city. Religious places, statues of political leaders, malls and heavy footfall places are being monitored by 5,000 CCTV cameras and officers in civil dress. A special squad will be deployed at the places to curb eve-teasing and harassment incidents," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, operations, Manjunath Shinge.

He said, "We have not received specific alerts of any terror threat neither we have intercepted any warnings but anti-sabotage measures have been taken properly and also the intelligence machinery are stationed strategically so the city is free of threats this year."

Along with the coastal security working for immediate response in case of emergencies, the security checks will be closely monitored by DCP-rank officers. The police will pay special attention to ensure women's safety and to prevent drunk driving.

"This time we are focusing more on beaches, parking lots in five-star hotels, pubs, and places where revelers will gather in large numbers. Music permits allowing speakers till midnight on December 31 have been issued and permissions to serve alcohol in hotels till 5 am on January 1 will be granted only to those who request for the same to the police. Licenses will be suspended if instructions are not followed. Organisers of all big events for the new year welcome party have been instructed thoroughly," Shinge said.

Meanwhile, in order to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic and to ensure the safety of pedestrians, the north-end of NS Road and south-end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Road towards Gateway of India will be closed for all types of vehicles from Monday 8 pm till Tuesday 6 am. The traffic police have also identified 26 stretches of roads which will be no-parking zones during the aforesaid period. Some of the roads are Shahid Bhagat Singh Road (Colaba Causeway) from Regal Circle to its junction with Arthur Bunder Road, Mount Mary Road, Rebello Road, S.V Road, Juhu Tara Road, and Worli Sea Face. 

Some no-entry spots and one-way places have also been mentioned by the traffic police to avoid vehicular congestion.