Scanners, blocked roads and tight security will temper New Year revelries across India on Wednesday as fear of terrorist violence hangs over the country after last month's Mumbai attacks.

An unprecedented security blanket covered the country's main cities this week, underscoring the collective jitters of a nation after terrorists attacked and killed 179 people in its financial capital.

While Mumbai was the worst attack, in all more than 400 people have been killed in about a dozen terrorist attacks in 2008 across India. An economic slowdown has also dampened usually extravagant celebrations in Mumbai.

"It's going to be a quiet evening for me and a bunch of friends at home. We have no plans to party," said 24-year-old Nirbhay Kanoria.

Kanoria would be hard-pressed to find places to party, with most luxury hotels and clubs cancelling star-studded bashes and sticking to low-key live music bands and dinner.

At the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of two luxury hotels that was attacked by terrorists last month, the poolside has been opened to visitors, and restaurants will offer special menus, a spokesman said, including from the restaurants that were damaged.

While the celebrations for the city's well-heeled may go on well into the night, the more popular hangouts such as the Gateway of India and the Marine Drive promenade, where firework displays are common, would wind down revelries after midnight.

"This year, the mood is likely to be a bit subdued because the thought of the attacks might be weighing on people's minds," said K L Prasad, a senior police officer in Mumbai.

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