New Year 2026: Kodagu police issues instructions against consumption of drugs and noise pollution

The Kodagu district police has issued a set of instructions for New Year festivities prohibiting the public from selling, supplying or consuming narcotic drugs, and using sound systems that exceed the permissible decibel levels.

Kodagu attracts a large number of visitors including foreign tourists for New Year celebrations, organised in different parts of the hilly district.

A statement issued by Kodagu District Police Superintendent K. Ramarajan said owners or representatives of homestays, resorts and lodges should inform the local police if they come across the sale, supply or consumption of prohibited narcotic substances on their premises.

“If it is found that owners or their representatives have failed to provide information and have instead facilitated the sale or consumption of narcotic substances, cases will be registered against them under Section 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Pyschotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Legal action and steps will be taken to cancel their licenses,” the statement warned.

He also called upon the general public to inform the police if they come across visitors from within the district or tourists staying in homestays, resorts and lodges involved in the sale, supply or consumption of narcotic substances under the guise of rave parties. The public, he said, should call the Kodagu district police office by dialling 08272-228300 or 9480804900.

He also said that owners of homestays, resorts and lodges should adhere to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, by ensuring that sound systems and loudspeakers do not exceed the permissible decibel levels prescribed by the Pollution Control Board for different zones.

All clubs, lodges, resorts and homestays in the district have also been instructed to mandatorily maintain registers and ensure that CCTV cameras installed on their premises are in proper working condition.

They have also been directed to record complete details of tourists visiting clubs, lodges, resorts and homestays in their registers and compulsorily obtain one valid photo identity proof of each guest staying on the premises.

While adequate police personnel will be deployed for New Year celebrations, strict instructions have also been issued to owners, managers and vendors of liquor shops to open and close their premises within the prescribed timings.

The police will deploy officials and staff in sensitive locations to prevent bursting of crackers and explosives in public places while taking precautionary measuers to ensure that the New Year festivities do not cause inconvenience to neighbouring residents.

The Police Superintendent also warned that organising New Year celebrations with DJs or hosting parties is prohibited in forest areas, river banks and public places.

Additional staff will be deployed at existing checkposts in the district while new checkposts will be set up at strategic locations to conduct inspections and prevent the transportation of any illegal materials, the statement said.