Kolkata welcomes New Year amid drizzle

Cloudy sky and scattered rainfall could not dampen the spirit of the City of Joy as it welcomed the New Year with open arms on Thursday.

The city, painted in its new blue and white colour, rocked and danced till midnight as revellers hopped pubs, restaurants and malls shouting countdown to wish each other New Year. All roads of the city led to Park Street as traffic restrictions were removed opening up the roads and pavements for the enthusiasts who flocked the area much before the evening set in. Several clubs, hotels, restaurants offered packages to entertain party goers with their music, pubs made the New Year's eve a great experience with the best combination of music, ambiance and delicacies.

Some five star hotels also host of fun activities to welcome 2015 with live international performers, amazing music and prizes galore. A Few had sizzling belly dancers, live bands and to beat the winter chill with grilled delights and the best of blends. Security men kept a hawk's vigil with CCTV installed at crucial points in the city which remained chilly with mercury dipping to around 16 degrees Celsius.

Celebrations also witnessed fireworks with policemen, equipped with Alcometers (breath analysers), were out in large numbers across the city to nab revellers driving on a 'high'. They were seen stopping persons suspected to having too much drink and made them breathe into the equipment.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her New Year's greetings to the people of the state. Banerjee, who debuted on Twitter on Thursday, in her first tweet wrote: "A New Year. A new beginning for me on Twitter".