With New Year celebrations just around the corner, the Bengaluru Police, along with other city departments, has issued a comprehensive and stringent set of guidelines for all pubs, clubs, hotels, and event organisers. These proactive measures, rolled out early this year, focus heavily on fire safety, crowd management, and drug prevention to ensure a safe and incident-free welcoming of 2026.
Following a recent pub fire tragedy in Goa, enforcement has been particularly strict, with joint inspections by the Police, Fire Department, Bescom (Electricity), and civic bodies now underway across the city’s major party hubs.
Mandatory Venue and Crowd Regulations
The new rules place the onus squarely on venue owners to ensure public safety and compliance:
- Compulsory Fire Safety Clearance: Every establishment hosting a New Year event must obtain mandatory fire safety clearance from the Fire Department. Venues operating without this official approval will face immediate closure and legal action.
- Strict Crowd Limit: Pubs and clubs are strictly prohibited from admitting patrons beyond their approved seating or venue capacity. Overcrowding that leads to any mishap will result in the direct liability of the venue owner/organiser.
- Bar on Certain Structures: Programmes are strictly prohibited in basements, parking areas, and terraces.
- CCTV and Security: CCTV surveillance is mandatory at all key points, including entrances, exits, dance floors, and areas near women’s restrooms. Footage must be preserved for a minimum of 30 days.
- Security Staff Vetting: Organisers must hire security personnel and bouncers only through agencies registered under the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA), and their details must be submitted to the local police.
ಆನಂದ, ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆ ಒಟ್ಟೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಸಾಗುತ್ತವೆ.
— ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) December 16, 2025
ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷ ಸಮೀಪಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವಂತೆ, ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯುತವಾಗಿ ಆಚರಿಸೋಣ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಒಬ್ಬರನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರು ನಿಗಾ ವಹಿಸೋಣ.
Joy, responsibility, and safety go hand in hand.
As the New Year approaches, let’s celebrate responsibly and look out for one… pic.twitter.com/Vr8eEnlvfB
Targeting Illegal Activities and Vices
The police have outlined a firm stance against drugs and other prohibited activities during the festivities:
- Zero Tolerance for Drugs: Prominent “No Smoking / No Drugs” signboards must be displayed at all premises. Authorities warn that the consumption, sale, or storage of narcotic substances will lead to stringent legal action against organisers and property owners.
- Anti-Drug Checks: Police checkpoints will conduct drug consumption tests, and blood samples may be collected for laboratory analysis if suspicion arises.
- Firecrackers Banned: The bursting of firecrackers during New Year celebration programmes has been completely prohibited within event premises.
Rules for Hotels and Celebrities
Specific rules have also been issued for hotels and event promotion:
- Hotel Occupancy: Hotels are instructed to limit room occupancy strictly to the number of beds available and are restricted from allowing large-scale private parties in rooms.
- Loudspeaker Restrictions: Outdoor sound systems must be shut down by the stipulated time as per noise pollution norms. Loudspeakers are only permitted inside closed indoor premises, generally up to 1:00 AM, with noise levels strictly regulated.
- Performer Details: Organisers must submit details of all celebrities, performers, artists, and DJs to the jurisdictional police station in advance.
Organisers across the city, particularly in hotspots like MG Road, Brigade Road, Koramangala, and Indiranagar, have been made to sign written undertakings assuring compliance. Any violation will lead to immediate revocation of permission and legal prosecution.
