New Year 2026 Traffic Advisory: Bengaluru Police Announce Road Closures and Safety Rules

The Bengaluru City Police have issued a detailed traffic advisory for New Year's Eve 2026 to manage heavy crowds and ensure public safety. The restrictions will be in force from the evening of December 31, 2025, until the early hours of January 1, 2026, covering vehicle movement, parking, flyovers and access to central celebration zones.

Authorities said the measures are aimed at preventing congestion and accidents while allowing emergency services to operate without obstruction.

Restrictions on Vehicle Movement

From 4 pm on December 31, regular private vehicles will not be allowed on several core city roads. These restrictions will remain in place until 3 am on January 1. Only police vehicles and emergency service vehicles on duty will be permitted to use the restricted stretches during this period.

Between 8 pm on December 31 and 3 am on January 1, traffic will be completely prohibited in major celebration areas, including MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Residency Road, Museum Road, Rest House Road and Residency Cross Road. Entry of general vehicles into these zones will not be allowed.

Parking Ban in Central Areas

To avoid bottlenecks and ensure smooth pedestrian movement, parking will be banned from 4 pm on December 31 to 3 am on January 1 on MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Museum Road, Rest House Road and Residency Road. Only authorised and emergency vehicles will be allowed limited access for operational purposes.

Flyovers Closed to Public Traffic

As a safety measure, 50 flyovers across Bengaluru will be closed to civilian traffic starting 9:30 pm on December 31. These flyovers will remain accessible only to emergency vehicles until restrictions are lifted after New Year celebrations.

Metro and Bus Services

To support late-night travel, Namma Metro and BMTC services have been extended. Metro trains will operate until 2:45 am on January 1, allowing people to return home without using private vehicles. However, MG Road Metro Station will remain closed from 10 pm onwards due to heavy crowding, with commuters advised to use nearby stations.

Security Deployment and Surveillance

Bengaluru Police will deploy around 20,000 personnel across the city on New Year's Eve. Surveillance will be strengthened using CCTV cameras, watchtowers and heat map technology to monitor crowd density and respond quickly to emerging situations. Dedicated teams will focus on women's safety and crowd assistance.

Drunk-Driving Checks and Enforcement

Police have intensified drink-and-drive enforcement, with checkpoints operating across the city through New Year night. Officials warned that strict legal action, including licence suspension, will be taken against those found driving under the influence.

Advisory to the Public

Police have urged residents and visitors to:

• Use public transport wherever possible
• Avoid bringing private vehicles into restricted areas
• Follow instructions from police on duty
• Drink responsibly and ensure safe travel

Authorities said cooperation from the public is essential to ensure that Bengaluru welcomes 2026 safely and peacefully.