PANJIM: As Goans and several thousand visitors gear up to ring in the New Year, the State police said they would be on a look out for anyone who gets behind the wheels drunk. The drivers caught driving drunk would find themselves behind the bars, the police warned.
“We are (going to be) very tough against the drunken drivers; they all may land in jail,” Director General of Police Muktesh Chander told Herald ahead of New Year celebrations planned across different parts of the State.
Armed with over 100 alcometers, the Traffic police and the local policemen would be deployed across designated places and the special drive has already begun. The coastal belt has been on the focus considering huge footfalls during the peak period.
The department has also chalked out a detailed strategy to ensure proper traffic management in view of several vehicles entering the State to celebrate the New Year. “Goa police is fully ready to tackle the traffic and the general law and order. We are alert. A complete deployment plan is circulated to all the concerned in the department,” Chander said.
Police personnel will also be deployed around party clubs to check for drunken driving, the DGP said.
Sources said there could even be video recording of the test to ensure the citizen does not resist the check and the other option is to escort the individual to the government hospital for blood test.
“Since we are not sparing drunken drivers during the ongoing drive, we have decided to be even stricter during the festive period. If the breath analyser test confirms the alcohol limit is beyond permissible limits, he/she will not only be fined but we will also ensure they are behind the bars whether for a day or six months,” said an officer in the Traffic Department.
While the State has recorded poor arrivals, particularly from the foreign nationals, the year-end is nonetheless witnessing a satisfactory response from the domestic revelers. Sources in the Traffic Department said that a few thousand vehicles from the adjoining states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, etc have entered the State this week to celebrate the New Year.
“Besides those flying into Goa, many have driven down to Goa ahead of the New Year. Many such vehicles are seen in Panjim city and the coastal belt. These have added to the existing fleet of vehicles plying in the State, but the total vehicles during the last 15-days of the month is less compared to the preceding years,” an officer said.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate, North has notified temporary diversion in Calangute-Baga for vehicles entering one way entry and proceeding from St Alex Church via St Anthony Chapel, St Joseph School, Calangute -Baga junction till Government Primary School and one way for vehicle exiting (one way exit) from Government Primary School till Fat Fish Restaurant on the occasion of Christmas and New Year. The traffic arrangement is valid till January 4, 2019. Temporary parking restricting entry and movement of heavy/medium vehicles (big/mini buses/tempos) in Calangute area has also been notified from December 22, 2018 to January 5, 2019 in view of Christmas and Year End Festivities.
