Have plans to ring in 2019 at a pub or bar in Bengaluru? Well, the New Year’s Eve party will be on till 2am with Bengaluru’s watering holes being granted an hour’s extension to serve their customers. For the last two years, the extension of an hour was given by authorities for the New Year revelry. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the decision was made after various forums represented by multiple restaurant and hotel associations approached them for an extended deadline.
The Excise Department will issue a no objection notice to this effect to the respective establishments which apply for this extension. The police have warned, however, that establishments will be fined if they violate the deadline. Bars have also been asked to make necessary arrangements to maintain public order.
However, alcohol retail stores will be close at 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve, with no extension granted.
Authorities have also barred entry to frequented tourist spots just outside the city limits. As done in the past decade, Nandi Hills will be barred for visitors from 4pm on December 31 to 8am on January 1. Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy said action will be taken against people consuming liquor in public places. He also said those organizing large private parties need to take prior permission from police and the Excise Department.
Police in Bengaluru have implemented strict measures to avoid a repeat of 2016 Brigade Road incident which brought shame to the city. On December 31, 2016 police in Bengaluru were criticized for being a mute spectator at the Brigade Road junction where an alleged mass molestation took place. Videos and photographs of the incidents were played in the following days not only in the local media but also outside Karnataka.
From 2017 onwards, police and other authorities have not left anything to chance by installing CCTV cameras, large LED screens to prevent such incidents. Watch towers were set up to keep a watch at crowds. This year, in addition to these measures, drone operated cameras will also be used to keep a check on offenders. A total of 12,000 police personnel will be on the ground including 250 women personnel to ensure safety across the city. In addition, there will be 2,000 traffic policemen to impose the major traffic restrictions and diversions.
Special instructions were also given to management of watering holes to safeguard women customers.
These include deployment of women security personnel and arranging cab facilities for their patrons. In addition to their existing CCTV cameras, bars have been mandatorily asked to surveil all entry and exit points of their shops.