Scores of people thronged Beach Road to celebrate New Year’s Eve, turning the city into a hub of festivities on Wednesday. As part of traffic regulation measures, the stretch between The Park Hotel Junction and the NTR Statue was closed to vehicular movement from 8 p.m. Similar restrictions were imposed on the middle lane of the BRTS Road at Hanumanthawaka–Adavivaram, Pendurthi to Convent Junction, and Maddilapalem to Rama Talkies. Large crowds also attended various events organised across the city.
Hotels, private venues and event organisers hosted a range of programmes, adding to the festive atmosphere. The Beach Road stretch remained abuzz as people drove along the coast to bid farewell to the old year, while groups of friends spent time together celebrating the occasion. Police teams were deployed all along Beach Road to monitor and regulate the crowds. Bakeries and sweet shops witnessed a heavy rush, with customers queuing up to buy cakes. Several temporary stalls and kiosks were set up across the city, selling biryanis, cakes and flower bouquets. Liquor outlets and bars also recorded heavy footfall. Meanwhile, police teams were stationed at key junctions and conducted drunken driving checks at multiple locations to ensure public safety.
