The Nilgiris police step up vigil on New Year’s eve

Nilgiris police take measures to prevent accidents on New Year's eve, increasing presence at key locations and conducting vehicle checks.

The Nilgiris district police have initiated a slew of measures on New Year’s eve in the district to minimise the chances of accidents occurring due to drunk and reckless driving.

Senior officials from the Police Department said that police personnel will be present at all major public areas such as bus stops, railway stations and important traffic junctions, for both traffic management as well as to clampdown on reckless driving. Moreover, police officers were also on vehicle patrol throughout the evening and into early morning tending to any reported disturbances, while also ensuring that vehicle checks were being conducted, they said.

In Udhagamandalam, police presence was also stepped up near tourist locations such as the Government Botanical Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Rose Garden and the Ooty lake and boat house as officers also looked to clampdown on public intoxication.

Police personnel were also stationed at important junctions along Avalanche Road, Charring Cross, the Udhagamandalam to Gudalur Road, Kotagiri Road and other locations. Drivers descending the Kalhatti Ghat Road, as well as the Ooty to Coonoor and Kotagiri to Mettupalayam Road were subjected to checks.

Restaurants, eateries and bars were also being monitored to ensure that there were no public disturbances, officials added.

A senior police official said that contrary to expectations, the number of tourists in the district during New Year’s eve was relatively small, making traffic and crowd management much easier for police personnel.