Panaji (Goa) Several people thronged the beaches and flooded the party places last night to celebrate the New Year in Goa. The firework display along the beaches was held during mid night as the countdown ended and people welcomed a new year 2018.

The crowds had started arriving on the beaches from the evening onwards to witness the last Sunset of the year 2017.  Mid night masses were held across the state’s all the Churches to pray for better year to come.

The crowds had started visiting the state from December 27 onwards as the New Year parties had begun from that time. State authorities had kept strict vigil along the 105-kilometres-long coast and the unauthorized parties were stopped from being held to avoid the abuse of narcotics in it.

The traffic jam was witnessed in the North Goa’s coastal belt right from the evening onwards as tourists had descended on the beaches to witness the last Sunset.

State police had posted 300-odd personnel on the beach belt of Baga-Sinquerim in North Goa to ensure that the traffic jams are not created. The highway connecting Panaji to Margao also remained choked with vehicles during the evening.

The shacks dotting the beaches had arranged for special music attracting the visitors. Entire beach was full of activity with some of the shacks performing live music, while rest playing the recorded one.

As the countdown started in the mid-night, the spectacular display of firework was on the beaches by few shack owners with the crowd wishing Happy New Year to each others.