Madurai: As the 10-day-long Chithirai festival draws to a close in Madurai city, the district administration has intensified preparations to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of devotees expected for the final days. Devotees from Madurai and surrounding districts have been gathering in large numbers to witness special events such as Thirukalyanam, Therottam, and Lord Kallazhagar's procession, as well as his descent into the Vaigai river.
Security and Traffic Arrangements
The Madurai corporation and city police have implemented multiple measures for crowd safety and emergency preparedness. Traffic police and city police have erected barricades to prevent vehicle parking along the procession route. Traffic has been diverted, and alternative parking arrangements have been made for the crowds. Thousands of drinking water tanks and mobile toilet units have been set up. Special buses are operating during the festival days.
On Friday, when Lord Kallazhagar enters the Vaigai river, city police from all four zones of the state have been deployed. Security will be led by South Zone IG Vijayendra S Bidari and city police commissioner Abhishek Dixit. As many as 14 officers of SP-level rank will assist them, a senior police official told TOI. City police have established 18 'May I help you?' booths exclusively for the festival. To ensure smooth ambulance movement, an ambulance has been stationed near Theni Anantham junction, and the route from Theni Anantham junction to Govt Rajaji Hospital has been cleared.
Medical and Emergency Services
The Madurai corporation has mobilized its Hospital on Wheels unit and is collaborating with private hospitals, which have set up mobile ICUs and ambulances to patrol the procession routes and provide quick first aid. Fire and Rescue officers with swimming training have also been deployed as a safety measure.
Sanitation Efforts
"As soon as the day's festivities are over, sanitation workers are deployed overnight on cleaning drives to clear all the waste generated. They have also been instructed to remove any fallen tree branches or leaves from the street before the next day's procession," a senior city corporation official said. The main types of waste include paper and plastic from plates, cups, bottles, and food wrappers from snacks and annadhanam that devotees consume. "Large dustbins have been provided along the entire procession route, but very few are fully used," he added. "With these arrangements, Madurai is ready to welcome nearly eight lakh devotees expected for the final days of the Chithirai festival celebration," the official said.
