It’s that time of the year when the cheer translates into a mad dash for popular hangouts.

To prevent untoward incidents in the capital and steel city where the reveller count touches 3 lakh and 1 lakh each year, Ranchi and East Singhbhum administrations are counting on digital traffic surveillance, PCR vans with speed guns, drone cameras, trained commandos and strict parking restrictions.

TRAFFIC FLOW

In the capital, the digital traffic surveillance system will kick in on New Year wherein automatic number plate recognition and red light violation detection cameras will be activated at 16 strategic locations.

“These high-end gadgets connected to the server can take pictures of bikes and cars along with their number plates. Cops in the control room, who will monitor traffic 24/7, can identify offenders and instantly generate a penalty slip,” Ranchi traffic SP Ajit Peter Dungdung said.

PCR vans fitted with speed guns will detect over-speeding and rash driving.

Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Roy directed district police to take strong action against drunk driving. “We will use breath analysers to detect such cases,” Dungdung added.

To ensure easy flow of vehicles in the steel city, adequate number of traffic cops and Home Guards will be pressed into service.

DSP (traffic) Shrivendra Kumar said special parking arrangement had been made around Jubilee Park. “Vehicles can be parked near Rabindra Bhavan, Red Cross building, Dorabji Tata Park and near JRD Tata Sports Complex.”

Entry bar will be in place both on December 31 and January 1. The restriction will be eased between 2am and 6am on Tuesday and reinstated from 6 in the morning till midnight.

POLICE VIGIL

Around 700 cops and over 50 Shakti Commandos will be deployed all across the capital city.

On Sunday, cops visited popular hot spots like Dassam Falls, Science City, Tagore Hill to review security arrangements. Special deployment has been made at Birsa zoo in Ormanjhi. “PCR vans and Mobile Tiger units will keep patrolling designated localities,” Ranchi SSP Anish Gupta said.

Advisories asking merrymakers not to smoke, drink or play loud music in public places, have been installed at parks and picnic spots.

In the steel city, around 100 static security personnel each will be deployed at Jubilee Park, Dimna Lake, Bhatia Park, Hudco Lake, Ghorabandha Theme Park and Dorabji Tata Park from 9am both on Monday and Tuesday.

Picnic spots will be under drone camera vigil. DSP (composite control room) Sudhir Kumar said check posts would be set up at 15 places from 6pm on Monday till 2am on Tuesday to nab drunk drivers.