Vizagites usher in New Year in a style

Visakhapatnam: The Vizagites ushered in New Year in style typical to the city.

Despite, the strictures passed by the police on the New Year eve celebrations, people particularly college going crowd swarmed the hotels and private parties spread across the city.

Most of the events took place on the Beach Road stretching from Coast Battery to Bhimili.

However, some of the people preferred to feel the cold weather and rushed to the Agency areas.

Many went with tents and cooking ware to spend the night at Lambasinghi. Others went to Araku Valley and Ananthagiri and had Dhimsa dance with tribal women around bonfire.

The rich made it to the star hotels where crazy parties were held till late into the night. All the dhabas on the beach side from Sagarnagar to Bhimili remained packed since morning.

Fearing police action, most of the revellers preferred to be dropped by taxis and autorickshaws.

The pious among the people went to churches, temples and other places of worship.

At the stroke of midnight many families were seen offering prayers at East Shiridi Temple, Saibaba Temple in Seethammadhara and Polamamba temple at Peda
Waltair.

Apartment associations decorated their buildings and organised get together with the residents organising games and quiz competition for children.

Many families remained at home browsing through television channels watching the New Year eve programme all over the world.

After the police imposed restrictions on the Beach Road for vehicle from 10 pm onwards, people thronged the RK Beach in large numbers greeting each other.

The police deployed 30 special teams concentrating at Madhuravada, Beach Road and the entire stretch of National Highway to prevent drunken driving.

On Friday, the traffic police booked 169 cases. Check points were put in the evening itself as many people started parties in the day time.

DCP (crime) T Ravi Kumar Murthy said around 1200 personnel were deployed all over the city to prevent any untoward incident.