Public hearing to make T’malai Deepam festival a smooth affair
As part of efforts to ensure the Karthigai Deepam festival a smooth affair, the district administration will be organising a public hearing, under the chairmanship of Collector KS Kandasamy on Monday. A key restriction will be ban on use of cell phones inside the temple during the festival days.
By : migrator
Update: 2018-11-10 20:47 GMT
Tiruvannamalai
Kandasamy said the public hearing – slated for 3.30 pm – will ascertain views of the stakeholders, officials, locals and traders, to conduct a hassle-free festival, which will be held from November 14 to 23. Around 30 lakh devotees were likely to participate in this year’s festival, which will commence with flag hoisting and conclude with the lighting of the Bharani deepam in the temple and the Maha deepam atop the adjoining 2668-foot Annamalai hill”.
Pointing out that several residents complained that despite obtaining official passes, they were not allowed take vehicles up to their houses, he said that due to the huge turnout every inch of space would be occupied during the 10-day festival. “However, we will try to find out a solution to the locals’ problem during the public hearing,” the collector assured.
To ensure safety of devotes, 250 CCTV cameras would be installed inside the temple and on the 14-km Girivalam path. Similarly, parking space for cars could be booked at www.tvmpournami.in, he added.
A total of 2,650 buses, 16 temporary bus stands and 77 parking lots would be set-up exclusively to cater to the needs of those coming for the festival. Apart from these arrangements, 60 free buses would be operated between the temple and temporary bus stands, the collector informed.
Sevoor S Ramachandran, HR & CE minister, said the railways would operate 14 specials.
SP Sibi Chakravarthy said 8,500 police personnel would be posted on security duty, while 34 assistance booths and 45 watch towers would be erected to monitor and regulate the crowd. Auto fare had been fixed at Rs 20 for 2.5 km and Rs 30 for longer distances for the festival period, he added.
Like last year, only 2000 persons would be allowed to climb up the hill, for which passes could be obtained from the Government Arts College by producing identity cards from 6 am on November 23. Annadanam would be permitted only in 7 locations identified by the officials.
November 23. Annadanam would be permitted only in 7 officially sanctioned locations, he added.
STEPS FOR FEST
- 2,650 buses will be plied, 16 temporary bus stands and 77 parking lots will be set up for the festival
- Parking space for cars could be booked at www. tvmpournami.in
- Passes to climb up the hill can be obtained from Govt Arts College on Nov 23
- The railways will be operating 14 specials to cater to the needs of devotees
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