Chennai: The Chennai and Kanchipuram police have been on their toes to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for an informal summit in Mamallapuram.
A number of traffic restrictions will be imposed at important points in the city later this week, particularly along the IT corridor OMR and the scenic ECR.
According to sources, dignitaries are scheduled to arrive at the city airport at 1 pm on 11 October.
Schools and colleges in and around Mamallapuram have been advised to be closed for two days.
From today onwards, visitors are not allowed at the tourist spots in Mahabalipuram, and the sea is also closed for any kind of activity.
A police source said, ”A number of special teams have been on their toes putting the security detail in place from 3 October. Around 150 sub-inspectors, Assistant commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have been conducting checks at lodges, guesthouses and hotels in OMR and ECR. Tomorrow, a team of central forces which form the Prime Minister’s security team will be in the city.”
Most of Mahabalipuram, ECR and OMR including the beaches will be cordoned off for general public. It is also said that warships will be on the ECR coast for display as part of the VVIP visit.
Police have also put new safety protocols- those who are in the city from other countries on 1 October and later, have been asked to inform the nearest police station.
A police source said, ”We are keeping a tab on the expatriates movement. Those who are working in the city, those who have recently joined any office in OMR, or if they are visiting their families from 1 October to 12 October have to inform the nearby police station.”
Parts of OMR and ECR will have very less to no traffic movement, including plying of water tankers 11 October from 11 am onwards till 3 pm on 12 October.
However, on 11 October from 11 pm to 5 am and on 12 October, emergency movement is allowed after a thorough check, sources said.
For both the days, from Guindy to Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) the roads are closed for vehicular movement.
Families living close to the venue have been asked to be on alert and inform the city police about any suspicious movement, police said.
It may be noted that officials from Archaeology Survey of India, State government and from the Centre are all already camped in Mamallapuram making arrangements. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami also personally visited and reviewed the arrangements recently.
The four tourist attractions – Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Krishna’s butter ball and Arjuna’s Penance where the leaders will visit for photo shoots were being spruced up.
Stalin welcomes summit
DMK president M K Stalin has welcomed the Modi-Xi summit in Mamallapuram. ”I feel happy that the Chinese President Xi Jinping is coming to Tamilnadu. I welcome the bi-lateral talks taking place in Tamilnadu. Let the bi-lateral talks add light to the global community.”
”Even though we are separated as countries, our sky is the same. Even though we are separated by borders, our thoughts are the same,” he added.