Delhiites let their hair down to ring in New Year

Connaught Place, the epicentre of capital's celebrations, was abuzz with people dressed in their festive best. The India Gate and other hotspots were teeming with teenagers, couples, children with their parents and friends dancing to the tunes played of their car stereos.

Car horns screeched, people wearing fancy masks hugged each other and danced together on streets -- Delhiites let their hair down to usher in 2012 with new hopes and aspirations.

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As the clock struck 0000 hours, hundreds of people who thronged popular markets, malls and other hotspots greeted each other.

Connaught Place, the epicentre of capital's celebrations, was abuzz with people dressed in their festive best. The India Gate and other hotspots were teeming with teenagers, couples, children with their parents and friends dancing to the tunes played of their car stereos.

It was a no-vehicle zone this evening at Connaught Place to control the crowd in the New Year hotspot. Police personnel were in huge numbers there, keeping a close watch on the revellers.

Policemen armed with alcometres were everywhere to check drunken driving as additional personnel were deployed across the city in the night to maintain law and order.

Although, most shops in Connaught Place were chock-a-block with people, it was the city's liquor shops and pubs that attracted the largest crowd.

"New Year's eve is the time when the city sees a spurt in alcohol consumption so most pubs across the city have come up with offers to add to the festive season," said the manager of a popular pub in Connaught Place.

"We have been given strict instructions to keep an eye on motorists drinking under the influence of alcohol and personnel have been stationed at various locations to ensure the same," said an official on duty.