Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Police have issued a set of instructions to the hotels, clubs, bars, and the general public on Zero Night celebrations in the capital city. All hotels, clubs, and bars have been directed to close down their establishments at 12.30 am on that night.
Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh told the media that a preparatory meeting was held with all the club, hotel, and bar management in the city and it was decided that Zero Night celebrations will be allowed till 12.30 am on January 2.
These establishments have been instructed to ensure that the number of guests doesn’t exceed their capacity limits, repair the defunct CCTV systems, and arrange for additional staff at parking points and drivers on a payment basis to drive home guests who may be in a drunken state. At the same time, they have been directed to prepare proper exit plans, ensure fire and electricity measures, and ban the use of narcotics on their premises, the DCP said.
On their part, the police will deploy additional forces and set up checkposts at various points in Bhubaneswar. Patrolling too will be increased across the capital city. In a novel move, the police will make ambulances near cluster hotels and clubs and deploy them at various important junctions. Vehicles will also be checked at various points to deter drunk driving.
DCP Singh has urged the people to celebrate the New Year with merriment, but ensure that ‘one’s celebrations do not turn out to be another’s sorrow’.
