Bhubaneswar, Dec 29: As the countdown to 2026 begins and the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack prepare to light up with “Zero Night” revelry, the spotlight is firmly on safety. With lakhs of partygoers expected to hit the streets and venues on December 31, the Commissionerate Police has swung into action, unveiling a tight web of security measures and restrictions designed to keep celebrations joyful, orderly, and incident-free.

All police stations have been instructed to identify hotels, clubs, pubs, and other venues hosting New Year events. Authorities will collect detailed information on event schedules, venue capacity, expected crowd size, and necessary permissions. The Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of each police station will personally verify these details to prevent overcrowding and avoid any untoward incidents.

Enhanced patrolling will be undertaken around celebration venues, major connecting roads, and sensitive locations such as parks, restaurants, colleges, and basti areas. Special emphasis has been placed on ensuring the safety of women and children during the festivities.

Vehicle checking points will be fortified with iron barricades to safeguard police personnel while conducting thorough inspections and roadblocks aimed at curbing drunken driving. The police have also prohibited roadside celebrations, temporary stages, and the use of music systems on public roads. Music will not be permitted beyond midnight, and police posts will remain on high alert to prevent disputes related to bouncers, event organisers, parking, or altercations among revellers.

Zone-wise supervision will be overseen by Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police: Sunaram Lembrem for Zones 1 and 2, Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra for Zone 3, Arati Giri for Zone 4, and Subrat Kumar for Zones 5 and 6. Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and IICs will monitor subdivisions and will be directly accountable for enforcing the directives.

Emphasising strict accountability, the Commissionerate Police has warned of serious consequences for any lapses or violations. These measures form part of the broader preparations under ‘Mission Suraksha 2026’, which include intensified anti-drunk driving drives and multi-layered security arrangements across Odisha to ensure peaceful and incident-free New Year celebrations.