Coimbatore rings in New Year without untoward incidents

COIMBATORE: The city welcomed the New Year without any untoward incidents, as strict police vigilance on drunk driving ensured peaceful celebrations. The city celebrated New Year’s eve with a diverse line-up of high-energy parties, luxury dinners and family-friendly concerts on Wednesday night.

However, the city police restricted outdoor New Year celebrations.

Unlike previous years, celebrations at the Race Course media tower were banned. Thousands of people who gathered there were sent back by police. Many people gathered near the clock tower at RS Puram and welcomed the New Year. Many motorists were seen on the Avinashi Road performing wheelies on motorcycles and standing on the roof of a car. Police seized those vehicles and imposed fines. As many as 195 vehicles were seized by city police for traffic violations and registered 74 drunken driving cases. Police identified 70 places in the city and conducted vehicle checks to avoid rash driving under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, all major flyovers in the city were closed for motorists from 9pm on Wednesday till early morning on Thursday.A total of 1,600 police personnel were deployed for the New Year celebration. According to a senior police officer, no major accidents were reported during the New Year celebrations. “No motorists were allowed to drive their vehicles at high speeds, as police installed barricades for every 2–3 km stretch. Those who came with altered silencers, performed stunts, or drove drunk were stopped and fined. The vehicles seized were handed over to the motorists on Thursday after they paid the fine,” he said.