10k cops on duty to ensure incident-free Kaanum Pongal

At least 5,000 personnel would be posted at Marina beach where the crowd swell is the biggest. Two temporary control rooms have been set up near Labour statue and Gandhi statue. CCTV cameras have been placed at 12 important places, which can be viewed from the control rooms.

This is apart from the 11 help centres set up between the Lighthouse and the Labour statue. Seven ambulances with medical crew to attend emergencies and two fire tenders would also be kept ready, said police. Though swimming is prohibited at Marina beach and barricades have been erected to prevent people from entering the water, motorboats and 140 swimmers would be ready if their services is required.

The strength of mounted force has been increased with 16 more horses, and all seven all-terrain vehicles would be patrolling throughout the beach.

Children visiting both the beaches will be given a tag in which the parents’ phone numbers would be mentioned to trace the kids easily if they go missing.

At Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, one control room and four watchtowers have been set up, while an ambulance with medical crew, a fire tender, motorboats and 10 swimmers would also be kept ready. Two all-terrain vehicles would roam around the beach to attend emergencies, said the police. Security arrangements have also been made at other places such as Guindy Children’s Park and Island Grounds, officials added.