Several checkposts were put up in identified sensitive areas of the city, especially near girls’ hostels in and around the colleges and Panjab University. The geri route also witnessed five checkposts in order to keep a tab on reckless driving and eve teasing.

“We have booked a few persons under Section 107 and 151 of the IPC for creating a nuisance along the geri route. They were released in the evening,” said Assistant

Superintendent of Police Madhur Verma.

Almost 115 personnel deployed by the Chandigarh traffic police kept a check on the movement of miscreants on city streets. A total of 445 people have been booked for various offences including 237 for driving without helmet, 37 for triple riding, 36 for driving without a seat belt, 38 for wrong parking, 58 for jumping red lights, 12 for dangerous driving, 17 for number plate violation, 10 for using mobile phone while driving and 129 for miscellaneous traffic offences. 

Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Hardeep Singh Doon said that the deployed police force had acted as a deterrent for reckless drivers.

“We had instructed our officers not to show any kind of leniency towards violators. Thankfully, no loss of life has been reported due to road rage on the festival,” he added. Despite elaborate police arrangements, 50 people were injured in separate drunken driving accidents. 

Holi celebrations, however, turned sour for a family in Bapu Dham Colony, as a 40-year-old man, who had received injuries after an accidental fall, succumbed to his injuries at PGI on Thursday.

Garib Das was revelling in the festivities at his residence when he accidentally slipped on Wednesday. According to doctors at the hospital emergency ward, Das had received severe head injuries. 

Meanwhile, the PGI did not receive any other case of allergy or infection during the celebrations. A few minor cases of eye infections were reported from health centres, clinics and hospitals across the city.

In Mohali and Kharar too, the festival of colours was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety. Streets were bathed in colours as groups of people exchanged greetings and sweets and smeared gulal on each other. Markets and bazaars also wore a festive look with specially designed stalls selling colours, water guns and sweets.

While adults preferred natural colours, kids went in for pichkaris of Chinese make that have flooded the market this year.

Strict arrangements were also in place to check violation of traffic rules by Holi revellers. 

Putting the brakes on the movement of violators, the district police issued challans to 165 drivers for various offences including using pressure horns, driving without silencers, triple riding and driving without helmet, besides impounding 16 vehicles from across the district.