Chennai: Chennai witnessed a safe ‘Kaanum Pongal' even as the police ensured that there were no drownings in the city along the Marina coast. As expected, Marina Beach received the maximum crowd, with more than 1.5 lakh people estimated to have visited it on Thursday. The Zoo and Guindy Park were also jam packed, but there was a marginal dip in the crowd compared to that of previous years'.
“The police have had cent per cent success and till Thursday night there were no untoward incidents on the beach,” said a senior city police official. The lighthouse had throngs of people visiting it since the morning. As evening approached the queues only grew in number.
The scene at the beach too was lively, with families congregating with bags filled with food and goodies, leaving behind trash. The Chennai Corporation had also planned special drives on Friday to clear the extra garbage that had piled up along the coast from MGR Samadhi to Foreshore Estate.
Zoo Director and Chief Conservator of Forests K. S. V. P. P. Reddy said in a statement on Thursday that the zoo attracted 58,550 visitors, a marginal decrease, when compared to the previous year's footfall. Over the past three days the zoo recorded a footfall of 1.08 lakh visitors.
Guindy National Park, which had been drawing a crowd of above 10,000 since Tuesday, on Thursday recorded a footfall of 19,710 people with the collections crossing the Rs 3 lakh mark. “GNP continues to enjoy public patronage during Pongal. Police, fire and paramedics with ambulances were deployed, considering crowd influx. 'Kannum Pongal' recorded the maximum footfall,” said City Wildlife Warden K. Geethanjali.
Muthu Raj, a resident of Mandaveli, who was walking towards the Marina with his family, said, “Every year, we go for Mattu Pongal to the beach with family. Though it is the same, yet the spirit of Pongal can be seen here alone.”
Pawan, a student of Loyola College, said, “Over the last few years I feel people like to celebrate Pongal indoors with family rather than venture out. My parents and I had our celebration indoors though I did go for a long drive to Mahabalipuram.” to keep up with Mattu Pongal.”
