India ramps up New Year security with women's squads, checkpoints
What's the story
As the New Year approaches, police forces across India are ramping up security measures to prevent public disorder. Major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru are at the forefront of these efforts. The Delhi Police have deployed around 3,000 personnel and set up over 50 checkpoints across the city to monitor traffic violations and conduct drunk driving tests, according to ANI.
Bengaluru security
Bengaluru deploys specialized women's squad for New Year
In Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced the deployment of over 20,000 police personnel, including specialized women's squads. The city is also using heat map technology to monitor crowds at major hotspots. To facilitate transportation during the celebrations, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced special bus services that will run till 2:00am on January 1.
Kolkata preparations
Kolkata strengthens security at key metro stations
Kolkata is also taking its New Year security seriously, with heightened measures at key stations, including 6 in the North-South corridor. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been deployed to manage passenger movement during peak hours. Additional women RPF officers will be stationed at Park Street metro station to ensure safety and smooth crowd management.
Mumbai measures
Mumbai deploys massive security force for New Year
In Mumbai, over 17,000 personnel have been deployed under elaborate security arrangements for the occasion. The deployment includes 10 Additional Commissioners, 38 Deputy Commissioners, 61 Assistant Commissioners, and 2,790 police officers. The city's police have also launched an enforcement campaign to ensure residents' safety during New Year's celebrations, urging citizens to use helpline numbers 100 and 112 in case of emergencies.