Bengaluru Police issue strict New Year rules, multi-department checks begin

Bengaluru: With the New Year season approaching, the Bengaluru Police have gone into high alert, initiating a series of stringent measures to prevent any untoward incidents during celebrations across the city.

Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh convened an important coordination meeting on Wednesday with officials from BBMP, Excise, Fire & Emergency Services, BMTC, Metro Rail and other departments to finalise safety norms and prepare a unified action plan.

The meeting discussed crowd management, safety protocols at party venues, and a comprehensive framework of permissions required for New Year events. This year, pubs, hotels and restaurants will have to follow stricter rules than ever before.

Under the new regulations, obtaining permission from just one department will not suffice. Any venue hosting New Year celebrations must secure approvals from all three departments—Police, Fire & Emergency Services and the Excise Department.

If even one department denies permission, the event will not be allowed. Starting from Dec. 10, joint inspection teams comprising DCPs, Excise officials and Fire officers will conduct checks at pubs, hotels and restaurants across the city.

Commissioner Singh warned that if officials identify any safety, licensing or operational lapses during inspections, venue owners will be given 10 days to rectify them. Failure to comply will result in denial of permission for New Year events.

Crackdown influenced by Goa pub fire incident

The recent tragic pub fire incident in Goa has pushed Bengaluru authorities to tighten enforcement. Fire safety checks will be mandatory, including verification of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and crowd movement routes. Fire officers will also inspect whether rooftop structures meet safety norms. Excise authorities will closely monitor pubs to prevent the sale of illegal or spurious liquor.

“Drug-free New Year” mission

The Bengaluru Police have set an ambitious target of ensuring a drug-free New Year. The Commissioner said officers have already intercepted drugs entering the city, and strict surveillance will continue throughout the celebrations. Parties found using or allowing drug consumption will face severe action.

Rooftop parties have been completely banned this time, and venue owners will be held directly liable if overcrowding leads to accidents. CCTV cameras will be mandatory in dance floors, celebration zones and entry-exit points of all venues.

With these new measures, the city administration aims to ensure a safe, compliant and incident-free New Year celebration for Bengaluru’s residents.

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