Valsad Police Create “Impact of Fear”: Over 400 Arrested for Drunk Driving in 3-Day Crackdown
The New Year celebrations in Valsad and the surrounding industrial belts of Vapi were marked by an unprecedented police crackdown that significantly dampened the typical “party” atmosphere of the region. Under the stringent supervision of the Valsad District Police, a massive enforcement drive resulted in the arrest of over 400 individuals for alcohol consumption over the last three days. This rigorous approach effectively created a “fear of the law,” leading to a noticeable drop in the number of people crossing over to the neighboring Union Territories of Daman and Silvassa—traditionally the hubs for New Year’s Eve revelry due to the availability of alcohol.
Strategic Checkpoints and Drone Surveillance
To ensure a safe transition into 2026, the police department fortified the borders of the district. In addition to the existing 11 permanent checkpoints, 6 special temporary checkpoints were established on routes connecting Daman, Silvassa, and Maharashtra.
- Intense Scanning: A total of 17 checkpoints were fully operational, featuring intensive vehicle inspections.
- Key Locations: High-alert zones included the Kachigam and Dabhel checkpoints in Vapi Town, and the Dadra and Pramukh checkpoints in the Dungra area.
- Aerial Watch: For the first time on such a scale, Drone Cameras were deployed under the Superintendent of Police’s (SP) guidance to monitor high-rise buildings and sensitive residential areas for illegal terrace parties.
Shift in Public Behavior: UT Borders Remain Quiet
The impact of this “police khauf” (police fear) was clearly visible on the streets. Historically, the roads leading to Daman and Silvassa witness massive traffic jams on the night of December 31st. However, this year:
- Empty Roads: The usually bustling Kachigam and Dabhel roads saw a drastically low volume of vehicles coming from the Daman side.
- Avoidance Strategy: Fearing breathalyzer tests and subsequent legal action, local residents from Vapi and Valsad largely chose to stay indoors or celebrate within their residential complexes without alcohol.
- Orderly Police Stations: Unlike previous years, where police stations would be overcrowded with detainees on New Year’s morning, the number of “morning-after” arrests remained negligible.
Economic Blow to Bar and Restaurant Owners
While the police celebrated a successful law-and-order operation, the hospitality sector in the neighboring border areas faced a gloomy start to the year. Bar and restaurant owners in areas like Pataliya—a famous spot for liquor lovers—reported a complete collapse in business.
“We were expecting bumper business for the 31st, but the strict police presence at every corner meant people simply didn’t show up. Fearing they would be caught ‘on the way back,’ people avoided the bars entirely. Our business was virtually paralyzed,” lamented a local bar owner.
While the border roads were silent, the internal areas of Daman did see celebrations among tourists who were already staying in hotels and resorts. These venues continued their musical events, but the “commuter crowd” from Gujarat was conspicuously absent.
Public Safety First
The Valsad Police have maintained that their objective was not to stop people from celebrating but to prevent road accidents and maintain the “dry state” laws of Gujarat. The success of this operation in 2026 has set a new standard for festive policing in the region, prioritizing public safety and legal compliance over celebratory excess.
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This article is published on OurVapi.com The information presented is based on public sources, local inputs, field observations, and the author’s independent assessment. It is intended to be useful primarily for readers from Vapi, Valsad, Umbergaon, Sarigam, Bhilad, Silvassa, Daman, and nearby regions.
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