The city wore a festive look and there were celebrations in every restaurant and hotel. Talking to Newsline, Ashok Seghal, a Sector 7 resident said, “Initially, we hadn’t made any planned anything for New Year. But at the last minute, we decided to go out only to find it very difficult to find a place to dine”.

Rekha, a resident of Sector 9, said, “I had to go to Chimney Heights, but I reached quite late for the party, but thankfully before 12. There was heavy traffic on the roads and I had to cross several checkpoints”.

Traffic personnel were deployed at special nakas—near Golf Club; Lake Club; South End roundabout; Kalagram; Aroma lightpoint; ISBT 17 roundabout; Madhya Marg; opposite Hotel Mountview; Shivalikview, Taj, near various discotheques —to check violators and nab those indulging in drunken driving. In all there were 33 checkposts set up across the city.

It was learnt that two fire tenders were stationed at the Sector 17 plaza, one each in Sector 36 and Sector 5; and in Sector 38; Sector 11, Industrial Area and Manimajra.