Tag: restrictions

Happy New Year 2024: Check traffic police advisory and other restrictions imposed in major Indian cities

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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With 2023 coming to an end, people across the country are gearing up to usher in the New Year 2024 with grand celebrations.

While some people have already gone into the holiday mood and are enjoying their winter vacations, many others are expected to join in the celebrations as New Year’s Eve approaches.

Anticipating a huge crowd this New Year’s weekend, police in major metropolitan cities in India have imposed certain restrictions to avoid any untoward incident and maintain the law and order situation.

Here’s a look at city-wise restrictions in India for a ‘safe’ New Year 2024:

1. Delhi

Delhi Traffic Police will deploy 2,500 personnel to control the heavy volume of traffic which is expected at various locations in the national capital on New Year’s Eve. According to reports, 250 teams will remain deployed to check drunken driving in different parts of the city on Sunday (December 31).

Moreover, the Traffic Police has posted an advisory on the social media site ‘X’, mentioning the extra security in areas like Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas, and South Extension market.

Traffic Advisory

In view of New Year’s Eve celebrations in different parts of #Delhi, heavy volume of traffic is expected in various locations. Kindly follow the advisory to avoid inconvenience.#DPTrafficAdvisory#NewYearEve pic.twitter.com/h98k8DkPUk

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 28, 2023

2. Mumbai

Mumbai Police had earlier announced that prohibitory orders will remain in place in the city under Section 144 till January 18. Also, individuals in the city will not be allowed to fly drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, hand gliders, and hot air balloons over the city.

Moreover, the city police in a post on X informed that 22 DCPs, 45 ACPs, 2051 police officers, and 11,500 officials along with SRPF platoons, QRT team, RCP, and home guards will remain deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order situation.

Ensuring citizens welcome New Year safety, 22 DCPs, 45 ACPs, 2051 Police Officers and 11500 officials along with SRPF Platoons, QRT team, RCP and Homegaurds have been deployed for bandobast across the city.

Mumbai Police encourages everyone to welcome the New Year with joy and… pic.twitter.com/KbahyePRm6

— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 30, 2023

3. Bengaluru

Bengaluru, the IT hub of India, will also be witnessing certain restrictions on New Year’s Eve. B Dayananda, Bengaluru Police Commissioner, said the police will keep stringent checks on drunk driving and traffic congestion in key areas.

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Anticipating large gatherings in areas like MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, St Marks Road, and Church Street, the police said traffic will be restricted on the night of December 31 and January 1, 2024. To avoid any untoward incident, all parties in Bengaluru, including the ones at hotels, clubs, and pubs, have been ordered to conclude by 1 am.

Bengaluru Commissioner’s Assurance: Your safety is our commitment! Patrols are in full swing every evening till midnight! Let’s celebrate responsibly.#SafeCityHappyCity #NewYear2024 pic.twitter.com/uXLRm2WFAj

— ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್‌ BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) December 28, 2023

4. Chennai

In Chennai, police have deployed as many as 18,000 police personnel, 1,500 home guards, 420 vehicle checking teams, and 25 road safety patrol teams for the New Year’s celebrations. Besides this, automatic number plate recognition cameras and CCTVs will be operated to enforce the rules on drunk driving, over-speeding, riding without helmets, and noise pollution. “Bursting of firecrackers is strictly prohibited,” the Chennai Police wrote on X.

#HappyNewYear2024

18,000 Police on duty.
1,500 Home Guards in service.
420 Vehicle check teams.
25 Road Safety Patrol Teams

🪧 100 major temples, churches and places of worship are covered.
🪧 All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) pressed into service.
🪧 Police Assistance… pic.twitter.com/EoV6U0yfmI

— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) December 30, 2023

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadu CM Stalin inaugurates Kilambakkam bus terminus near Chennai

5. Goa

Tourists from different parts of the world have already started pouring into the coastal state of India to ring in the New Year. According to PTI, the Goa Police have formed special teams to keep a check on the use of narcotic drugs during the celebrations. These teams will be strictly active near the coastal belt, Superintendent of Police (North Goa), Nidhin Valsan said.

Additionally, the authorities will also be proactive near party venues such as the Sunburn EDM festival.

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17 Lakshadweep islands off limits for visitors, national security cited

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Lakshadweep Administration has prohibited entry without prior permission into 17 uninhabited islands of the archipelago citing national security and public safety concerns.

The District Magistrate of Lakshadweep has issued a proclamation under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibiting entry of people into the 17 uninhabited islands without prior permission of the sub-divisional magistrate.

The December 28 decision by the administration has been taken to prevent terror or smuggling activities out of these uninhabited islands which have temporary structures for housing labourers for harvesting coconuts.

The administration, in its order, has cited apprehensions that among the labourers there could also be persons who engage in illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities, like smuggling or hiding weapons or narcotics in these islands.

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Multiplexes’ body urges Delhi government to open cinemas with 50% occupancy

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Cinema chains feel the heat again as Delhi moves to level 1 of the graded response action plan as COVID-19 cases surge once again. Under the plan, cinemas have to shut shop once again. The Multiplex Association of India has approached the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi requesting a rollback the move, citing adverse consequences on the account of COVID-19 related shutdowns. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Kamal Gianchandani, President of the Multiplex Association of India, shared his perspective.

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“We have urged the government to rethink the decision and allow the cinemas to operate. We are absolutely fine if the government wants to put some restrictions on theatres -– restricting sitting capacity to 50 percent, making double vaccination mandatory for all customers coming to the cinemas,” he explained.

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“We have met the honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi today and highlighted the adverse economic situation that the film business and the exhibition business has been going through as a result of multiple lockdowns that we have had,” he said.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video.

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No large gatherings, garba events in Maharashtra during Navratri; details here

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Navratri or the much-awaited nine-day festival is around the corner, and the Maharashtra government has issued guidelines for celebrations. Devotees will be allowed physical darshan at Navratri Mandals, according to the fresh guidelines.

The guidelines, issued on October 4, say that even though the second wave of COVID-19 has subsided, the threat is still looming, and therefore, large gatherings will not be a good idea. People have been advised to take necessary precautions while celebrating Navratri this year.

The government has restricted the height of idols to four feet for community mandals and two feet for household celebrations. Organisers have been asked to make necessary arrangements for online darshans of idols via cable networks, websites, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

The government has said that not more than five people would be allowed at a time in community mandals and there should be no crowding during aartis and bhajans. No food and beverages will be allowed in community pandals.

The circular has asked people not to organise garba, dandiya, or any other cultural activities this time. People should, instead, organise health camps, blood donation camps, awareness programs for the prevention of COVID-19 disease, dengue, malaria, etc., it added.

People have been asked to ensure that they do not organise any procession for home arrival as well. The traditional aarti should be performed at home instead of the immersion places. In addition to this, children and senior citizens have been advised to avoid such gatherings. The circular further stated that the same set of rules will be applicable for the Ravan Dahan event.

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UK PM Johnson confirms July 19 lockdown end with caution

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday confirmed July 19 as his so-called “terminus date” for an end to all legal lockdown restrictions in England, striking a note of caution. As he confirmed plans for the reopening across a majority of the UK from next Monday, he urged the public to remain vigilant as the pandemic still poses a threat and therefore “caution” will be key in the coming weeks.

“This pandemic is not over. It continues to carry risks for you and your family, we cannot instantly revert to life as it was before COVID from July 19,” Johnson said at a virtual briefing from Downing Street in London. While admitting that more deaths and hospitalisations are to be expected from coronavirus once lockdown ends, he said these had been “clearly foreseen” by the forecasters as he reiterated that opening up during the current warmer months would be a natural advantage over the deadly virus than in the winter months later in the year.

In a more cautious approach to the work from home guidance, Johnson added that the government does not expect the whole country to return to their desk as one” from July 19, just because the guidance is changing. He said that further details of a “gradual” plan for a return to offices will be published in the coming days, including an expectation for people to continue to wear face masks in crowded areas.

The move to step 4 in the UK PM’s four-step roadmap for an end to lockdown was delayed by four weeks from June 21 to allow every adult to be offered a vaccine for better protection against the Delta variant. “We are tantalisingly close to the final milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning, Johnson said earlier in a Downing Street statement ahead of a scheduled briefing.

While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not over yet. Cases will rise as we unlock, so as we confirm our plans today, our message will be clear. Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don’t undo our progress, ensuring we continue to protect our NHS, he said. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid updated Parliament on the plans earlier on Monday and laid out that the government’s four tests to lift lockdown are being met.

The four tests are that the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully; vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated; infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS; and the assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern (VOCs). The latest data was presented, with current modelling suggesting that COVID-19 cases will continue to rise as restrictions are eased. Hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths will also continue, albeit at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.

As of July 10, Downing Street said a total of 80.3 million vaccine doses have been administered in the UK, with 45.7 million adults receiving a first dose (86.9 per cent) and 34.5 million adults receiving both doses (65.6 per cent). The government says that reopening from lockdown at a point later in the year may increase pressure on the National Health Service (NHS) because of winter illnesses such as flu.

Analysis from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge suggests that vaccines have so far prevented an estimated 8.5 million infections and 30,000 deaths in England alone. “It is vital that people keep coming forward to get both jabs when called, with data from PHE showing COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. The analysis suggests the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96 per cent effective and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 per cent effective against hospitalisation after two doses,” Downing Street said.

Meanwhile, the NHS vaccination rollout is set to continue to accelerate by bringing forward second doses for under 40s to eight weeks. On Sunday, the UK recorded another 31,772 confirmed coronavirus cases, along with a further 26 deaths.

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Visitors flocking to holiday destinations, occupancy above 50% in hotels: Lemon Tree

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The tourism industry is finally seeing more traction on the back of the country witnessing an ease in the lockdown restrictions, due to which Lemon Tree’s stock gained 5 percent this week. The stock is currently trading at Rs 45.20 on the NSE.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC-TV18, Patanjali Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director at Lemon Tree Hotels, shared his views while mentioning that holiday destinations are seeing a big surge in visitors and there is near full occupancy at these hotel properties.

By the third week of June, there was a noticeable pick up in occupancy. Without giving any guidance, the occupancy is now north of 50 percent, he said.

So, July itself has seen revenue growth of 70 percent over previous month, he added.

“It is looking very positive but the entire situation depends on the third wave,” he said. If the third wave is not too severe then he expects this trendline to continue.

“However, if the third wave is severe, then I expect there will be some kind of moderation from mid to end of August till perhaps September,” he shared.

About 80 percent of the company’s inventory comprises of business hotels, which are relatively doing very well, he stated.

“Our newly opened Aurika, which is a deluxe hotel in Udaipur, we are doing at 80-90 percent occupancy, not at a great rate, it is about Rs 8,000-10,000, but it is doing 80 percent occupancy, which is an amazing number for July,” he explained.

Goa too is showing positive trendline.

He also mentioned that the company may push tariffs higher by 15 percent.

When asked about debt in books, he mentioned that he is not too concerned about it. “I am not concerned about the debt, we are very comfortable,” he said.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Madhya Pradesh to ease COVID-19 restrictions from June 1

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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After a long time, Madhya Pradesh (MP) becomes the first state that will start to unlock starting June 1. The state’s positivity rate has come down and therefore there is no need to continue with the restrictions.

Most of the states have announced the extension of restrictions, but others would have lockdown-like restrictions until May-end.

Delhi and Haryana have extended the lockdown until May 31, Uttar Pradesh (UP) has also extended its ‘Partial Coronavirus Curfew’ until May 31.

Rajasthan will be in lockdown until June 8, one of the longest among the states.

Tamil Nadu goes into a week-long strict lockdown starting today.

Karnataka also extended the lockdown until June 7, Goa until the end of the month, Kerala until May 30, Puducherry as well till the end of May, and Jammu and Kashmir have extended restrictions until May 31.

Other large states that remain in lockdown-like restrictions – Maharashtra, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, West Bengal, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Chandigarh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Telangana.

Watch the accompanying video of CNBC-TV18’s Ritu Singh for more details.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

COVID-19 restrictions: Here’s a roundup of state-wise situation

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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There are 23 states and union territories at the moment that have lockdown-like restrictions. However, it is important to note that these states and UTs alone contribute over 75 percent to India’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The other 12 states and union territories that have selected restrictions are the relatively smaller states.

States like Maharashtra, Goa, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, West Bengal, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Telangana and Karnataka will remain under lockdown-like situations at least till the last week of May.

Watch the accompanying video of CNBC-TV18’s Ritu Singh for more details.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow