Biker Ashish Pujari (23) never thought he would start New Year by coughing up Rs 2,000 as fine for drink driving at Mango in Jamshedpur.

He was not alone.

For the first time, city police equipped with breathalysers, carried patrolling on the night of New Year's eve and New Year, between 7pm on Saturday to 2am on Sunday, to catch those at the wheel who reeked of liquor.

Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Vivekanand Thakur said they slapped the Rs 2,000 penalty on 20 bikers but no car was caught.

Checking against drunk and rash driving was conducted on all major thoroughfares like Kharkhai Link Road in Bistupur, Chepapool on Azadnagar-Mango Road, Tapti Road and Kalimati Road in Sakchi, Golmuri-Telco Road and Jugsalai-Station RoadTriple riders and those without helmets were also caught.

This strictness ensured the steel city welcomed 2017 without any major incident.

On Sunday evening, however, three youths on a bike, going from Adityapur to Bhuiyandih, were injured as their vehicle rammed into a divider on Marine Drive, Sonari. Anand Kumar (22), Lalu Prasad (22) and Biju Prasad (21) have been admitted to Tata Main Hospital.

East Singhbhum senior superintendent of police (SSP) Anoop T. Mathew said he had given strict instructions to his force not to allow drunk driving this time.

"We had made a meticulous plan to effectively curb drunk driving on New Year's eve and New Year as this is one of the major causes of road mishaps and group clashes. At least three clashes were reported at G Town Club and a hotel in Bistupur and another in Adityapur during Christmas week," said the SSP.

"So, this time I divided my men in four groups for four major zones of the city - Jugsalai, Golmuri, Mango and Sakchi. Because of this strict vigil and prolonged checking drives, no fatal accident was reported from any part of the city," said Mathew.

Police coffers were also richer.

"Most of the 20 bikers who have been slapped the Rs 2,000 fine have paid up. Those who are yet to pay have not yet got their bikes. They can take their vehicles only after paying the penalty," said Thakur.

"It is unjust as on New Year eve we will obviously have some drinks and then have to bike home," said Pujari. But even he admitted that such steps curbed road mishaps.

Have you stopped someone from drinking and driving this New Year? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com