People celebrate Kaanum Pongal amid heightened security

Expecting a large number of people to gather at Marina Beach and other places to celebrate Kaanum Pongal, the Greater Chennai Police made elaborate security arrangements by deploying about 16,000 police personnel and nearly 1,500 Home Guards across the city on Saturday.

At the Marina, three temporary mini-control rooms were set up between the Labour Statue and the Lighthouse, along with police assistance booths at service road entry points.

Eight ambulances, two fire engines, motorboats, and over 200 trained swimmers were kept on standby. Thirteen temporary surveillance towers, CCTV cameras, mounted patrols, and all-terrain vehicles were deployed to control crowds and prevent crimes.

Barricades were erected and an 85-member anti-drowning team was deployed along the shore to prevent people from entering the sea.

At the Elliot’s Beach, a temporary control room, surveillance towers, mounted patrols, ambulances, a fire engine, swimmers, and motorboats were arranged.

To quickly trace missing children, police issued wrist ID bands carrying the child’s and parents’ details at assistance booths. Eight drone cameras provided aerial surveillance at Marina and Besant Nagar beaches, with safety messages broadcast to the public.

Security was also stepped up at Guindy Children’s Park, Island Grounds, Semmozhi Poonga, amusement parks, malls and multiplexes. Traffic was affected on Walajah Road, Shastri Nagar and other adjoining roads because of the large gathering out at beaches in the afternoon.

The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) had effected traffic diversions around Kamarajar Salai. Vehicles coming towards Kamarajar road were diverted.

Parking arrangements were made by the GCTP at Foreshore Road, Madras University, Swami Sivananda Salai, and several other places.