KOCHI: City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya announced that strict security will be enforced in Kochi on Tuesday as part of the New Year celebrations. Extensive police arrangements will be made in Kochi, with 1,000 police officers deployed in the Fort Kochi area alone, the Commissioner stated at a press conference. A special squad will be formed to identify individuals using alcohol and drugs. A police control room will be set up at Veli Ground, where the burning of Pappanji effigy will take place, and coastal police will also be on duty for surveillance.

The Ro-Ro and Water Metro services to Fort Kochi will operate only until 7 PM. Efforts will be made to arrange transportation for those returning after the New Year celebrations. Eighteen parking grounds will be set up in Fort Kochi for visitors. If these parking spaces are filled, additional parking facilities will be arranged in Mattancherry. If even those facilities reach capacity, vehicles will be barred from crossing the BOT bridge to prevent congestion, the Commissioner said.