Pramesh S Jain
As part of security measures for the New Year celebrations,City Police Commissioner,Seemant Kumar Singh said that unrestricted public access to MG Road and Brigade Road will not be permitted this year.
Entry into the core celebration zones will be controlled and regulated to prevent overcrowding and to ensure smooth movement of pedestrians,emergency vehicles and police units.
Speaking after conducting a field inspection,the Commissioner said that designated holding areas have been identified to temporarily regulate crowd flow.
Citizens have been urged to cooperate with police personnel and plan their movements in advance,as free access to Brigade Road,which was allowed in earlier years,will not be permitted this time.
He said the current phase focuses on intensive on-ground reviews to assess preparedness and identify any operational gaps.
Inspections were deliberately conducted on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,as crowd patterns on these days closely resemble those expected on New Year’s Eve.
The Commissioner also said that parking will be strictly prohibited within the MG Road and Brigade Road zones.
The public has been advised to use designated parking facilities away from the core celebration areas and to walk or use public transport to reach nearby locations. These measures are aimed at reducing congestion and ensuring unhindered emergency response.
During the inspection,the Commissioner reviewed:The area in and around MG road is covered under CCTV coverage and live monitoring systems AI-based crowd movement analysis Barricading and access-control layouts Emergency response and evacuation protocols .
These systems will enable real-time monitoring,early identification of crowd pressure points and swift intervention when required.
CelebrateResponsibly appeal
Mr.Singh highlighted the Bengaluru City Police social media campaign #CelebrateResponsibly,urging citizens to celebrate with restraint,courtesy and cooperation with law enforcement personnel.
Regular advisories,traffic updates and safety instructions will be shared through the official Bengaluru City Police website and social media platforms.
Citizens are encouraged to scan the QR code circulated by Bengaluru City Police or visit the official New Year information page:
https://bcp.karnataka.gov.in/86/new-year-2026/en
For any emergency, the public has been asked to dial 112 immediately.
