On Monday as his friends came visiting from Chandigarh, Sekhri could only think of one place to go. Yes, the Capital’s financial, commercial and business centre that converts into a celebratory space for the general public at this time of the year. Every year. “It’s always special to be here. It has a certain appeal that no other place has,” he said. And, while sexagenarians like him did not make the dominant crowd, the likes of Nakul Anand, who came all the way from Bareilly (in UP) with friends, knew it were the youngsters like them who made most of the noise.

As Khalil, the steetside vendor, sold out all his “bhonpus” (gongs) to the young crowd within hours of setting shop, the entire area reverberated with shrieks of joy. “It’s great to be here. You are not alone in your happiness. It looks like the whole of Delhi has converged here,” said Nikita Sharma, who came with her visually challenged grandfather to celebrate the moment.

A stone’s throw away at Khan Market, revellers thronged the liquor and sweet shops. Elsewhere, many saw the New Year’s Eve as the perfect occasion to make a prayer at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. All this while, cops stood guard at check-points with red-and-yellow barricades in place.

But there were no cases of drunken driving till 10 pm when Newsline checked at the Parliament Stree Police Station. “People are acting quite responsibly due to the (traffic) measures announced. We have just started the alcometer but haven’t had any case so far,” said Suvashish Chaudhary, DCP (Traffic), New Delhi district.

But in all the joy and chaos, Dr Naveen Gupta had to return disappointed. Hoping to spend some quiet moments with his children at CP’s Central Park, Gupta said, “It’s sad the park is closed today. There is no logic to it.”