Hyderabad: If you are stepping out to welcome the New Year in Hyderabad, be prepared for extensive traffic restrictions and strict enforcement of drunk-driving norms. The Hyderabad and Cyberabad police have announced sweeping curbs and safety measures for the night of December 31 and the early hours of January 1 to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety.

As part of the arrangements, all city flyovers will remain closed to traffic, except those at Begumpet and Tolichowki. The PVNR Expressway flyover will be open only for passengers travelling to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with valid air tickets.

Police said their focus will be on crowded zones such as markets, malls and major celebration spots, particularly around Hussain Sagar Lake. Shopping hubs and nightlife areas in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Khairathabad and Saifabad will also be closely monitored.

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Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R. Venkateshwarlu said traffic personnel will be deployed in sufficient numbers at 217 key junctions across the city.

Traffic movement on NTR Marg, Necklace Road (PVNR Marg) and Tank Bund will be completely restricted from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., with diversions put in place at 11 locations. Visitors heading to Tank Bund on foot have been advised to park their vehicles only at designated parking areas.

Entry of private travel buses, lorries, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and heavy passenger vehicles (HPVs) into Hyderabad city limits will be prohibited between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Vehicles bound for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other states have been advised to use the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

The police have also directed three-star and above hotels, clubs, bars, pubs and event organisers to make special parking and security arrangements.

“While liquor service must be limited to fixed hours at the pubs and bars, they are required to provide safe transportation to the intoxicated patrons,” said the police official.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police will conduct intensive checks against violations such as drunk driving, rash and dangerous driving, speeding, wrong-side driving, helmet-less riding and triple riding on two-wheelers.

“If you have had alcoholic drinks, use public transport or a cab to get home safely,” the police appealed.

Commuters have been warned that drunk driving is punishable under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which carries a fine of Rs 10,000 and/or six months’ imprisonment. Repeat offenders face suspension of their driving licences for three months or more. Minors driving vehicles will lead to prosecution of both the driver and the vehicle owner.

Cyberabad Traffic Police have announced similar restrictions, with drunk-driving checks starting from 8 p.m. across all roads. Vehicles may be taken into temporary custody if documents are not produced.

Cab, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers have been instructed to wear proper uniforms, carry valid documents and not refuse rides. Bars, pubs and clubs that allow patrons to drive under the influence will face prosecution for abetment.

“They shall strictly educate their customers/associates on the consequences of drunk & driving and also shall make alternative arrangements for travel. They shall stop drunk persons from driving a vehicle from their premises.”

Special surveillance cameras have been installed to detect violations such as wrong-side driving, unauthorised parking, speeding, signal jumping and riding without helmets. Strict action will follow.

Police also warned that causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of alcohol will attract a criminal case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the accused will be arrested and sent to jail.

Usage of high-decibel music systems in vehicles, overcrowding, travelling atop vehicles and creating public nuisance will invite strict legal action.