Traffic, crowd mgmt plans ready for key Chithirai events

Madurai: After several multi-departmental meetings and spot inspections by senior officials over the past week, arrangements have been made for regulating traffic and crowds for the smooth conduct of the ceremony of Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai river and other key events of the Chithirai festival. "The state highways and Madurai corporation are temporarily halting flyover work and carrying out road rectification, which will be over soon. All the debris and construction work goods are also to be moved to not hinder public movement," a senior official told TOI.
She said there is no change in the traditional procession routes of the deities, though some roads will only have narrower space now. "But, we are making arrangements to maximise the use of the space for devotees," the official added. It may be recalled that two people had died in a stampede in 2022 near the venue where Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai river at Alwarpuram. "We discussed several plans to tackle the crowd, especially near Goripalayam junction and A V Bridge. We have made altered arrangements for VIPs and will be ensuring maximum space for devotees to access the viewpoints and give smooth passage," said a traffic official.
Civic activist V P Manikandan pointed out that the median near American College can cause hindrance to crowds. "The police should ideally separate the deity procession at Tallakulam Perumal Temple with only temple officials accompanying it. Devotees can alternatively be diverted via routes through Shenoy Nagar or Gandhi Museum road to reach the venue. Entry and exit points must be thoroughly planned. Releasing official mobile applications to track the deity procession of Lord Kallazhagar can help crowds navigate," he said. Arrangements should be made not to disrupt ambulances going to Government Rajaji Hospital, he added.
Meanwhile, police are monitoring the daily processions on Masi streets, where thousands gather. Watchtowers have been set up at various spots. "Crowds are more manageable on Masi streets as there are no road works and there are buffer areas for crowds to disperse. Traffic arrangements for the celestial wedding are likely to be similar to last year," said a police officer.
The city police announced traffic regulations for Amman Swamy deity procession on Friday to and from ‘Pavakkai Mandapam' near South Gate and Jayavilas junctions. No vehicles will be allowed to park on South Avani Moola Street from Thottiyan Kinatru Sandhu to Jada Muni Kovil Street junction, and Checkappa Nayakar Street and Chinnakadai Street. No vehicles will be allowed into the city from Avaniyapuram via Jayavilas junction. Similarly, vehicles from Chintamani road are to be diverted at Keeraithurai junction.