Chennai: The Chennai police have made elaborate arrangements for Kaanum Pongal day on Monday, the last day of four-day Pongal festivities, when people will throng public and tourist places in very large numbers.
Police officers indicated that nearly 15,000 police personnel, in uniform and plain clothes, will be deployed across the city. All important places will get heightened security. Security arrangements at Marina beach, which is expected to see tens of thousands of footprints on Kaanum Pongal day, will be given top priority.
A temporary control room as well as a police booth had been set up to help people on Monday at Marina. Six security towers have been erected at the beach and two ambulances will be in place near the beach.
Mounted police and cops all-terrain vehicles will be making regular rounds for crowd control and prevention of crimes. Police also advised people to not to venture into the sea, but the cops are ready with at least 100 divers and swimmers, who can handle emergencies in the sea.
Besant Nagar beach too will have one security tower, ambulance and 25 swimmers in place to handle emergency situation. Children visiting the beaches on Kaanum Pongal day will be given hand bands with details of their parents and phone numbers. The hand bands will be given at the police booths situated near Labour Statue, Gandhi Statue and Besant Nagar beach. This will ensure safe return of kids to their family if they go missing in the crowd.
Theatre owners and managements of shopping malls and amusement parks have been asked to ensure safety measures, while the public have been asked to cooperate with the police by following the rules.
Police have also made special traffic arrangements on Kamaraj Salai near the Marina beach in view of large crowd gathering. Though the police are planning to allow normal traffic flow on Kamarajar Salai for as long as possible, they may make it one way if there is a possibility of a large crowd gathering. If a large number of public gather at Labour Statue and Kannagi Statue on the Marina, the vehicles from north will be diverted at War Memorial towards Flag Staff road, Anna Salai, General Peters Road, Tower clock, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai to reach their southern destinations.
