Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today assured security to revellers welcoming New Year, saying that police have been directed to step up vigil to prevent any untoward incident.
"Police are all prepared to provide security to revellers, especially to women, children and senior citizens," Patil said while responding to a query by reporters on the Bombay High Court order.
The high court today overturned the 1.30 AM deadline set by Mumbai police for eateries, hotels and restaurants in the metropolis on the eve of New Year and extended the revelry time till 5 AM.
"People are free to roam in the city overnight without any fear," the home minister said, adding that cops' drive against drunk driving will start at 7 PM.
To a query, Patil said there was no specific input on any terror threat to New Year celebrations.
Hinting at the difficulty in ensuring coordination among government stake-holders, Patil, whose party, NCP, is an alliance partner in Democratic Front government, said, "the Excise department is earning revenue (through sale of liquor) whereas Social Justice department is implementing de-addiction drive but we (home department) are caught in the middle".
