Chennai, Aug 14:
Chennai is under a five-tier security cover ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, with extensive deployment of police personnel, intensified surveillance and traffic restrictions planned around Fort St George and other key locations across the city.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will hoist the national flag at the ramparts of Fort St George and deliver his Independence Day address.
The security arrangements have been made under the directions of Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj, with Additional Commissioners Kapil Kumar C. Saratkar (North), K.S. Narendra Nair (South) and B. Shamoondeshwari (Traffic) supervising special security duties.
As part of the arrangements, additional police teams have been deployed at Chennai airport, railway stations, bus terminals, bus and Metro stations, commercial complexes, beaches, places of worship and other locations frequented by VIPs. Intensive vehicle checks and surveillance are being carried out at these places.
Police teams are also conducting checks at hotels and lodges across the city. Patrolling has been intensified using four-wheelers and two-wheelers, while barricades have been erected at key locations for round-the-clock surveillance.
The police have appealed to the public to immediately inform them about suspicious movements or unattended vehicles.
The Greater Chennai City Traffic Police has announced extensive traffic regulations around Fort St George from 6 am on August 15 until the Independence Day function concludes.
The stretch of Kamarajar Salai from the Labour Statue to the RBI Subway on Rajaji Salai, along with Flag Staff Road, will remain closed to vehicular traffic, except vehicles carrying valid red and purple colour car passes.
Vehicles with red and purple passes travelling on Kamarajar Salai before 8.10 am will proceed via Rajaji Salai and enter the Secretariat through its designated entrance. Such vehicles will be parked at designated locations inside the Secretariat complex.
After 8.10 am, these vehicles will not be permitted through the War Memorial. They will instead be diverted through Flag Staff Road, Wallajah Point, Muthusamy Point, Muthusamy Road, NFS Road and Parrys Corner before taking a U-turn at the RBI Subway to reach the Secretariat’s exit gate. Parking will be provided at the PWD Parking area.
Blue and pink pass holders travelling before 8.10 am will also be diverted away from the War Memorial and directed through Flag Staff Road, Wallajah Point, Muthusamy Point, Muthusamy Road, NFS Road and Parrys Corner to the RBI Subway and Secretariat exit gate.
After 8.10 am, they will not be permitted to enter through the Labour Statue. They will instead be diverted via Wallajah Salai, Anna Salai, Muthusamy Bridge, Muthusamy Road, R.A. Mandram and NFS Road towards Parrys Corner before reaching the RBI Subway and Secretariat exit gate.
Vehicles without passes will be allowed only up to the Labour Statue before being diverted towards Wallajah Salai and Anna Salai. Parking arrangements have been made at several locations, including Island Grounds, Omandurar Hospital, Sivanandha Salai, Anna Swimming Pool, Foreshore Road, Victoria Hostel Road and MRTS parking areas.
Vehicles belonging to journalists will not be allowed to park at the PWD Parking area. If designated parking is full, they will be directed through RBI Subway, NSC Bose Road, Esplanade Road, R.A. Mandram, Muthusamy Road and Flag Staff Road before entering Island Grounds through the sixth gate for parking.
Police vehicles below the rank of ADSP and vehicles of police personnel will also be permitted to enter Island Grounds through the sixth gate.
The police have advised motorists to plan their journeys in advance and follow diversion routes and instructions from traffic personnel to avoid congestion during the celebrations.