Singles Not Allowed Into New Year Eve Parties; ORR To Be Closed 

Hyderabad: As the New Year is round the corner, the city police is on its toes to ensure that the celebrations remain accident-free.

The Rachakonda police have issued a notification stating that the Outer Ring Road (ORR) stretch falling within its limit will be kept shut for the general public from 11pm on December 31 to 5am on January 1. Only bonafide passengers and those using the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport will be allowed to use the ring road.

Also, all the flyovers under the commissionerate will be kept shut between 11pm and 5am. Police will deploy a massive force to conduct drunk driving checks and to prevent motorists from indulging in speeding through the city roads. The police advised revellers not to drive if they happen to have one peg or many.

The Rachakonda police have also issued a set of guidelines for organizers of New Year's eve events. The management of event venues must install CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points and parking spaces. They must also provide adequate security guards.

Events and parties can only be conducted between 8pm and 1am and the sound level must not exceed 45 decibels. Organizers must also inform police about the number of people that will take part in the revelry at the time of seeking permission.

"Only registered couples should be permitted for the programmes. No single male or female should be allowed to enter the venue," the police said. No extra passes or tickets should be issued beyond the permitted limit.

Police have told the organisers not to serve liquor to minors or allow them to take part in programmes organized for couples in pubs and bars. To double check, they have also asked organizers to submit video recording of the entire proceedings to the office of the Rachakonda commissioner within two days of the event.

Managements of pubs and bars have been asked to make necessary arrangements to provide drivers or cabs to customers who are in a drunken state.

Use of fireworks is strictly prohibited and smoke extinguishers and fire fighting equipment must be kept at hand to prevent any eventualities.

Any establishment violating the guidelines will be prosecuted under Section 133 of CrPC, leading to sealing of the premises and cancelling of its licence.