India rings in New Year with revelry, anti-CAA protests in parts of Delhi 

People across the country welcomed the New Year with night-long parties, light shows and fireworks, while police maintained a tight vigil, deploying drone cameras and taking action against hundreds for traffic violations including drunk driving and disorderly conduct.

In the national capital, peaceful demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were held at several places and people pledged to defend the Constitution by opposing the contentious legislation.

People gathered in huge numbers at important landmarks like Gateway of India in Mumbai and India Gate in Delhi, on beach fronts and local hotspots and many visited temples, churches and other shrines.

Security was beefed up across the national capital, especially in the vicinity of markets, malls, five-star hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars, in order to ensure orderly celebrations, the Delhi Police said.

Many chose to usher in the New Year by taking part in peaceful demonstrations against the controversial CAA.

Scores of people took a mass pledge at India Gate on New Year's Day to defend the Constitution by opposing the recent changes in the citizenship law.

The huge number of people, including the protesters and those who were out to celebrate the New Year, gathered at the iconic monument led to traffic jams in adjoining areas. Other parts of the city also witnessed massive traffic snarls.

Traffic on roads leading to city hotspots like Connaught Place, Mathura Road, ITO moved at snail's pace. The Delhi Traffic Police constantly alerted commuters about the traffic movement through its Twitter handle.

The Kalindi Kunj road in south Delhi has been blocked for the last 14 days as anti-CAA protesters have been staging a sit-in demanding that the new law be repealed.

Entry and exit gates at five Delhi Metro stations in central city were closed for over an hour in the evening to ease rush of passengers.

In Mumbai, merrymakers started flocking to popular spots like Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandstand and Juhu beach since Tuesday evening to welcome 2020.

Revellers also gathered in large numbers to enjoy a light show at Bandra Reclamation, resulting in a massive traffic jam late in the night.

Some cases of drunk driving, riding two-wheelers without wearing helmet, rash and negligent driving and getting into no-entry zones were reported in the city, a traffic police officer said.

In Kolkata, Victoria Memorial was choc-a-bloc with merrymakers.

Thousands gathered at Belur Math at Dakshineswar, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, to mark Kalpataru Utsav -- an annual festival to commemorate Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa's attainment of an "ecstatic state".

Devotees were also seen huddling at Kalighat, Tarapith and Kankalitala temples to offer prayers. As many as 3,678 people were arrested across Kolkata for eve-teasing, drunk and rash driving and other offences, police said.

In Gujarat, people gathered at the Sabarmati riverfront and some prominent lakes in Ahmedabad in large numbers around midnight to welcome 2020.

Several housing societies organised dance parties for their residents.

However, over 400 people were caught drinking or for possessing liquor during the revelry, especially in Sardarnagar, Bapunagar and Meghaninagar area, police said.

Gujarat is a dry state where manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor is banned.

Goa, a favourite among domestic and international tourists on New Year, saw revellers enjoying dazzling fireworks and dance parties at beaches and elsewhere.

Ireland Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, whose father hails from Sindhudurg district of neighbouring Maharashtra, was among those who ushered in the New Year in Goa. He arrived on December 30 and was staying at a resort in North Goa district.