Calm yet festive New Year celebrations in Hubballi

The city ushered in the New Year in a calm and festive atmosphere with families stepping out to go to malls, parks and lakes, remaining lively through the evening.

Markets and bakeries witnessed brisk sales of cakes, while shopping malls and commercial areas, still adorned with Christmas decorations, saw heavy footfall.

Several private parties were hosted across the city, with music and celebrations continuing into the night. Many residents chose to celebrate at home.

As the night progressed, police stepped up security arrangements to ensure public safety. Barricades were placed along key routes, including the Chigari bus routes, while police personnel were deployed at regular intervals supported by patrolling.

Restaurants and commercial establishments shut down at their designated hours. Police carried out checks to curb drunken driving and booked a few motorists during the drive. However, officials said that no major accidents or untoward incidents were reported.

Fireworks were seen in several localities and overall, the celebrations remained peaceful. Interestingly, gig workers from Blinkit, Zepto who were on strike were seen resuming work during the evening hours.