Patna: Parks and gardens attracted most people on the last day of 2017 on Sunday.

Rajdhani Vatika (Eco Park): 8,919

Hardinge Park: 1,024

Shivaji Park: 1,400

SK Puri Park: 1,300

A senior forest department official opined that the footfall could have been higher had there been less fog and chill. "If you compare the December 31 footfall to that of December 25, it was 14,800 on Christmas. People reached parks mainly after 1pm when fog started lifting," said the official, wishing anonymity.

Those visiting the parks, especially girls, upped the style quotient even when the weather gods commanded them to cover up in woollens. "The New Year's Eve is definitely special," said Vanshika (23), who was seen along with her group of friends at Rajdhani Vatika. "I have worn my favourite jumpsuit as I wanted to look stylish out with my friends. After Rajdhani Vatika, we will catch a movie at Cinepolis and the day's celebration will end at home with family."

Inside Rajdhani Vatika, groups of children played badminton and cricket, while lovebirds were also huddled in large numbers.

A large number of people also thronged Patna zoo on New Year's Eve. For families, it was picnic time as they sat on bedsheets and newspapers eating homemade food from tiffin boxes. The lion and chimpanzee enclosures garnered maximum eyeballs. Guards and zoo officials were out in full force, urging people to keep moving and not to bother the animals.

People also thronged P&M Mall to soak in the festive spirit. "The footfall was over 50,000. We had to deploy additional bouncers at the main gate to avoid any untoward incident," said a security personnel outside P&M Mall.

Rohan Raj (18), seen with friends Mohit and Abhishek, at Cinepolis in P&M Mall said: "What better way to ring in the new year than to catch Salman-starrer Tiger Zinda Hai. Hope to have a blast here," said Rohan.