M G Road and its surrounding areas came alive on New Year’s eve. Thousands of revellers gathered at Bengaluru’s favourite party spot to welcome 2016.

Pubs and restaurants stayed open late and did roaring business. There was a carnival atmosphere at the Brigade Road, which was brilliantly lit up. The landmark road started filling up quickly and by 9 pm it was jam packed.

The Police had a tough time managing the crowd.  They had installed 100 CCTV cameras, set up several watch towers and metal detectors to keep an eye on the revellers. Hundreds of cops had been deployed to ward off any untoward incident.

The revellers were not daunted by the heavy police presence. They became increasingly boisterous as the countdown for the New Year began. The predominantly male crowd burst in wild celebration as the clock struck 12 and ushered in 2016.

The beginning of the New Year saw another annual ritual kicking in.  The police gave the revellers sometime to calm down and leave the area. Then they asked them to go homes and even started swinging lathis to persuade those still in the party mood. By 2 am it was all over and the Brigade and the MG Roads wore a deserted look.