Nagpur: As many as 147 motorists were booked for drunk driving during a massive New Year’s Eve traffic crackdown across Nagpur, even as thousands of revellers thronged the streets to welcome 2026. The strict enforcement was carried out under Operation U-Turn, led by DCP Traffic Lohit Matani, to ensure road safety amid late-night celebrations.

All major hotels, restaurants and clubs in and around the city were packed till the early hours, with partygoers swaying to loud music. In view of recent violent incidents reported at city clubs, police significantly strengthened security arrangements at entertainment hubs and sensitive locations.

Despite the festive mood, Nagpur Police maintained a tight vigil on roads. Barricades were erected at several key junctions, and random vehicle checks were conducted using breath analysers to identify drunk drivers. Youngsters were seen driving along major thoroughfares, greeting friends and strangers alike, while police teams kept a close watch to prevent any untoward incident.

Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal led from the front and was seen on the streets interacting with citizens, urging them to celebrate responsibly and warning against violations of law.

Notably, despite heavy traffic movement and prolonged celebrations, no major road accident was reported in the city, highlighting the impact of heightened policing and strict traffic enforcement on New Year’s Eve.