In Hyderabad, the authorities have allowed New Years holidays after midnight on December 31 until 1 am on Friday.
Telangana’s Prohibition and Excise Department, in a letter dated December 29, requested the state government to grant permission to license holders of 2B (Bars), C1 (internal), EP1 (event permits) and TD1 (internal to Tourism Development Corporation) to serve liquor until 1 am, midnight December 31st. He also asked permission to keep A4 (point of sale) licensees open until midnight on December 31 on the eve of New Year’s Day celebrations in relaxation of the rules in vogue.
Such permission may be granted subject to observance of the SOP for COVID-19, the department director wrote in the letter to the government. A department official, when contacted, said that the permission he requested had been granted by the government.
On Thursday morning, the Hyderabad police tweeted: “So… what are your plans for tonight? See you in Spl. Drive while intoxicated. #hyderabad # newyear2021 #HyderabadCityPolice ”(sic).
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said in a statement that “the police will carry out comprehensive checks to curb drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding, triple-driving in two-wheelers and other traffic offenses for the sake of public order and safety. “Vehicles will not be allowed around Hussainsagar Lake, on NTR Marg, Necklace Road or Tank Bund road. All flyovers in the city, except the Begumpet overpass, will be closed in midnight December 31 and January 1. Travel buses, trucks and heavy vehicles will not be allowed in city limits.
Traffic notice in view of the New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2020.#New Year Eve # NewYear2021 pic.twitter.com/VKZMdaWsOK
– CYBERABAD TRAFFIC POLICE సైబరాబాద్ ట్రాఫిక్ పోలీస్ (@CYBTRAFFIC) December 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Cyberabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said: “People who drive a vehicle under the influence of alcohol are no less than terrorists who kill innocent people indiscriminately on the roads.” According to him, the people who followed the traffic rules even in the absence of the police were the true patriots.
The Cyberabad police notice indicated that the Nehru Outer Ring Road and the PVNR Expressway will be closed to vehicles, except those heading towards Rajiv Gandhi International Airport between 11 pm and 5 am. Along with other flyovers, the city’s newest flyover, the Durgam Cheruvu Bridge and the overpass on Highway 45 leading to it, will remain closed.
Taxi drivers are ordered not to refuse to rent to any public. It is a violation of Section 178 of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 and a penalty of Rs. 500 will be imposed in the form of e-challan in the face of such refusal to act, Cyberabad police said, asking the public to file complaints on WhatsApp 9490617346 with details of the vehicle, time, place, etc.
Bar, pub and club administrations have been ordered to prevent intoxicated people from driving a vehicle from their premises and to make alternative travel arrangements. Administrations that do not adhere to the instructions will be prosecuted for instigation of crime, police warned.
Taking seriously note of the increase in drunk driving accidents, Cyberabad Police have begun registering people who cause death in traffic accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol under Section 304 part II of the Indian Penal Code for wrongful death not equal to murder.
#TRAFFICADVISORY
In view of #New Year Eve celebrations, certain #restrictions and #guidelines are issued in the public interest by @Rachakonda_tfc. @TelanganaDGP @TelanganaCOPs @cyberabadpolice @hidcitypolice @DecCronicle @SwatiLakra_IPS @SumathiPS @ntdailyonline pic.twitter.com/eAYFE6NqDP– Rachakonda Police (@RachakondaCop) December 30, 2020
Drivers caught drunk and driving will face a fine of Rs 10,000 and a prison term of up to six months for the first offense, and a fine of Rs 15,000 and a prison term of up to two years for the second offense or the following. Your driver’s license will be seized and sent to the RTO in question recommending suspension.
Rachakonda Police, the third police commissioner in Hyderabad, also issued a similar warning, warning the public against drunk driving and other traffic offenses on New Year’s Eve.
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