Hyderabad: Farmhouses, resorts in demand ahead of New Year celebrations
HYDERABAD: More than two weeks before the beginning of the New Year, farmhouses, resorts and guest houses have emerged as the most sought-after destinations for revellers.
As a result, there appears to be a significant increase in demand for resorts and farmhouses on the outskirts of the city, particularly in Chevella, Moinabad, Shamshabad, and Shamirpet, among others, with more than 90 per cent bookings already made. Property owners have raised their prices for the New Year to capitalise on the demand, with resort and farmhouse rental prices nearly doubling.
"We had booked a farmhouse in Chevella for Rs 23,000 on the first weekend of November, but now we had to book the same premises for `40,000," Rohit Singh explained, all excited to welcome the New Year. He said he typically celebrated New Year's Eve with his classmates and friends in the city's pubs and restaurants, but this year they have decided to celebrate in a farmhouse away from the maddening crowds because farmhouses offer a noise-free ambience.
While Rohit Singh reserved a farmhouse to ring in the New Year in peace, several others have reserved resorts and farmhouses in anticipation of a police crackdown on revellers on December 31.
K. Laxminarayana, a government teacher, for example, said he had booked a resort in Hasthinapuram after recalling his ordeal with the police last year when he was fined for drunk driving. “We've already got enough liquor to last all night in the farmhouse, and we're looking forward to a fantastic New Year,” he said.
Like him, many revellers prefer farmhouses and resorts because they find pubs too crowded with strangers and loud music. "We are a joint family; previously, we had issues with strangers in pubs. This year, we have booked a popular resort in Shameerpet," said Tarun Agarwal, the owner of a factory.
Police warn party organisers
DC correspondent
Hyderabad, Dec. 13
The heads of the three police commissionates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda met with owners of farmhouses, resorts, and pubs ahead of New Year's celebrations and instructed them to seek permission from the police and excise departments before engaging in any activity.
While senior police officers claim that people can celebrate the New Year in pubs, farmhouses, or resorts as long as everyone follows the rules. The police warned party organisers of action if they are found violating safety norms.
"The heads of the tri-commissionates have conducted meetings with the owners of various pubs, bars, farmhouses, resorts, and guest houses that fall under their jurisdiction and have given them the guidelines to follow. Anyone found breaking the rules will be prosecuted,” according to a senior police officer.
K. Shilpavalli, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Cyberabad, urged pub owners and party organisers to gather revellers information, install CCTV cameras at their establishments' entrances and exits, and limit music decibel levels as per the rules.
At a meeting on Monday Shilpavalli said events would not be allowed beyond 1 am. She briefed them on sale of tickets, entry of minors, segregating singles and couples. The DCP said firearms and drugs were barred and performers were not to be allowed to join the crowds.
