Ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi idol processions and immersion in Chennai on Sunday, special arrangements have been made by the Chennai City traffic police, according to a circular issued by them. According to TOI, 20,000 police personnel have been deployed to monitor the processions and avoid untoward incidents.
The seashore near Foreshore Estate is expected to be crowded due to immersions and hence the police have pointed out the roads that are expected to be crowded and alternate routes that motorists can opt for.
The circular states that the Srinivasapuram and Foreshore Estate beaches, roads from Labour Statue to Greenways Point, Loop Road near Santhome, South Canal Bank Road and Kutchery Road are expected to see heavy traffic around noon.
EVR Periyar Salai, Harrington Road, 100 ft Road, Arcot Road, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam High Road, Kodambakkam High Road, Nelson Manickam Road, Anna Rotary, Cathedral Road, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Santhome High Road, DGS Dinakaran Salai will experience excess traffic between noon and 8.00 pm and are best avoided.
Vehicles coming from Wallajah Road, Barathi Road, Besant Road, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Kutchery Road and South Canal Bank Road will have to avoid Kamarajar Salai and Santhome High Road.
Vehicles heading from Adyar to Parrys Corner can take the Ramakrishna Mutt Road to Mandaveli, Luz Corner, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah Times Square, Whites Road, Smith Road, Anna Salai and then reach Parrys Corner.
The TOI report also states that the police will book anyone using loudspeakers and digital banners in their processions.
The Vinayaka Chaturthi festival was celebrated earlier this week, on September 2.
The Madras High Court had held that a government order that lays down rules for the installation and immersion of Ganesha idols on Ganesh Chaturthi does not violate constitutional rights. The HC bench held that that the condition of immersing idols within five days of installing them cannot be breached.
The Tamil Nadu government has laid down several rules for the installation of Ganesha idols. In August last year, the government banned the use of Plaster of Paris, stipulating that idols should only be made of pure clay. According to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the idols must be painted using non-toxic, water-soluble paints.