Second year of subdued New Year celebrations in Bengaluru
The Hindu
With night curfew in place, city’s streets wore a deserted look post 10 p.m.
In what has now become a familiar scene, the city ushered in the New Year in a subdued manner for the second year in a row since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Amidst a strict night curfew and government guidelines to keep a check on the rising number of infections and the Omicron scare, most of Bengaluru wore a deserted look as the clock struck midnight signalling the arrival of 2022.
The city police imposed Section 144 from 6 p.m. onwards and started ensuring that people did not gather outside. By 9 p.m, announcements to shut shop by the 10 p.m. deadline began. Roads were barricaded and strict drunk driving tests were carried out. Those without valid documents were booked for violating the curfew.
The city’s heart of celebrations - Brigade Road - where a large number of revellers gathered to celebrate the new year each year, almost becoming the symbol of celebrations in Bengaluru, was blocked before 10 p.m.