Elaborate security arrangements for Vinayakar idol procession today

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Police, in coordination with the Avadi and Tambaram Commissionerates, have made elaborate security arrangements for the Vinayakar idol immersion event in the city on Sunday.

Police sources said that a total of 21,800 police personnel, besides 2,650 Home Guards would be deployed on duty during the immersion of idols at the locations identified by the police.

After two years of muted Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations due to the COVID pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government this year allowed celebrations in public places and allowed the installation of Ganesh idols in various hues and sizes across the State.

A total of 2,554 idols, comprising 1,352 placed in various parts of the city, 503 idols in Avadi and 699 idols in Tambaram, were installed in public places as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Police warn of traffic snarls

City Police said that roads leading to the beach are expected to have slow moving traffic from 12 pm to 8 pm. Five places have been allotted for the immersion of idols — Srinivasapuram (ForeShore Estate), Palkalai Nagar (Neelankarai), Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, Thiruvottiyur and Ramakrishna Nagar (Ennore). As more numbers of idols are expected at Srinivasapuram and Foreshore Estate beaches, the roads from Labour Statue to Greenways Point, loop road, South Canal Bank Road and Kutchery Road will have huge traffic.

Heavy traffic is expected on EVR Salai, Harrington road, 100 feet road, Arcot road, Valluvar Kottam High road, Nungambakkam High road, Kodambakkam High road and Nelson Manikkam road, Anna Rotary, Cathedral Road, Dr Radha Krishnan Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Santhome High road, DGS Dinakaran Salai, between 2pm and 8pm.

Vehicles coming from Wallajah Road, Bharathi Salai, Besant Road, RK Salai, Kutchery Road and South Canal Bank road towards Kamarajar Salai and Santhome High Road will have to make their way through heavy traffic.

Vehicles from Adyar intended to go to Parrys will be diverted at Greenways Point to take the route via RK Mutt Road – Mandaveli Junction – Luz – Royapettah High Road, GRH point, Whites Road, Anna Salai to reach their destination.

Similarly, idols from Guduvanchery, Selaiyur, Tambaram, Vandalur, Pallavaram and surrounding areas are expected to arrive at Velachery-Vijayanagar junction through GST road and then reach Neelankarai through SRP tools and Thiruvanmiyur.