Bhubaneswar, Dec 23: Bhubaneswar will remain under a strict security blanket during the upcoming Christmas, New Year festivities, and Zero Night celebrations.

Commissionerate Police has announced enhanced measures to ensure public safety, urging citizens not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

To strengthen vigilance, an additional 15 platoons of police force will be deployed across the city. Special focus has been placed on women’s safety, with High Efficiency Response (HER) teams being stationed at key locations. These teams, dressed in plain clothes, will patrol sensitive areas to prevent harassment and ensure swift action against offenders.

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The entire city will be monitored through CCTV surveillance, covering major roads, hotels, and public spaces.

Permissions have been granted for Zero Night celebrations at select hotels and designated open venues, but organizers must also secure clearance from the Fire Department to ensure safety standards are met.

Police presence will be reinforced at entry and exit points of bars and pubs, with strict monitoring of crowd movement. Discussions are ongoing between the Excise Department and police authorities to finalize time restrictions for bars and pubs during the festive nights.

Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh confirmed that new guidelines will be issued shortly to regulate timings and maintain order.

In another development, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off 150 new ambulances Tuesday under the Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS), marking a significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The launch, held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, is part of a larger initiative to induct 428 new ambulances at a cost of ₹111 crore. According to officials, the new fleet will replace 419 old ambulances and two that were damaged in accidents.