As Bengaluru prepares to ring in the year 2026, the city police have unveiled a comprehensive and multi-layered security strategy to ensure safe and orderly celebrations for all residents and visitors. The plan mobilises a massive force and introduces several proactive measures focused on crowd management, women's safety, and traffic regulation.
Massive Police Mobilisation and Key Focus Areas
The Bengaluru City Police will deploy approximately 20,000 personnel across the city on New Year's Eve. This formidable force is tasked with monitoring and securing popular celebration hubs anticipated to draw large crowds. These zones include areas around MG Road, Koramangala, Indiranagar, Whitefield, Neeladri Road, Electronic City, and major shopping malls.
The security architecture is supported by substantial resources, including four police control rooms, 78 watch towers for aerial surveillance, and 55 ambulances on standby. For fire safety, 37 fire tenders will be positioned strategically. The personnel breakdown includes 10,122 civil police, 2,436 traffic police, and 1,936 personnel from the Karnataka Special Reserve Police. Support comes from 3,341 home guards, 916 civil defence volunteers, and 400 traffic wardens.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Women and Crowd Control
A significant emphasis of the plan is on creating a secure environment for women and young adults. The police will establish 164 women's help desks at key locations to provide immediate assistance and support. Furthermore, increased patrols by women police officers will be conducted, and dedicated Quick Response Teams (QRTs) are assigned to handle any reports of harassment or misconduct swiftly.
To manage the expected large gatherings, venues will enforce strict capacity limits with controlled entry and exit points to prevent dangerous overcrowding. The plan also features the creation of clearly marked safe zones and umbrella stations to offer refuge and weather protection. Advanced technology, including non-stop CCTV surveillance and a "magic box" system to quickly record and act on unruly behaviour, will be leveraged for better monitoring.
Traffic, Transport, and Strict Legal Enforcement
The traffic management plan is robust. To ensure smooth vehicular movement, certain roads will have restrictions, and the public is urged to strictly adhere to vehicle capacity rules. Public transport schedules for the metro and buses will be adjusted to facilitate easier crowd movement and reduce delays.
Law enforcement will be stringent, with zero tolerance for drunk driving and reckless stunts. Pub and bar owners have been specifically requested to cooperate with authorities in limiting excessive public drinking. Specialised police units, including C-Swat teams, Hoysala patrols, Cobra teams, and water jet units, are part of the lineup to address any emergent situations.
Senior police officers have already conducted site inspections with partners to ensure full operational readiness. The overarching message from the Bengaluru Police is clear: to ensure that the transition into 2026 is celebrated with joy while prioritising the safety and security of every individual in the city.
