A chance to see Amma

The MGR-Jayalalithaa Memorial at Marina beach is likely to have many visitors during Kaanum Pongal when people step out to spend time with their family. 

Thirty-four-year-old N Subramanian from Tiruchy comes to Chennai every year with friends and family to celebrate Pongal. “Earlier, we used to go to Vandalur zoo in the morning and spend the entire day at Marina beach. This year, I am visiting Marina beach to see Amma Memorial,” says. 

Those who couldn’t visit the memorial after Jayalalithaa’s demise would making sure that they do so this time around. Soon after her demise, hundreds of supporters flocked the beach to get a glimpse of their favourite leader. Those who couldn’t come then are planning to visit the memorial during Pongal. 

Akshay S, a resident of Coimbatore says, “I come to the city every January during Pongal to visit my family. This time I will make it a point to visit the memorial as it is the latest addition to the cityscape.” 

Apart from the memorial, Chetpet Eco park has been the latest attraction of visitors. 

“This is one place within the city where we can do boating. Last year, they had just opened and the space and they were in the process of developing the park. I am eager to see the added facilities,” says Pratibha, a resident of Ambattur. 

Places like the zoo and Crocodile Bank have hundreds of visitors during the festival time. 

“Pongal is one of the busiest time of the year for us. We do not do any special shows around this time because crowd management is a priority,” says an official from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, adding, “We are ready for the crowd. We have restored everything after the cyclone.” 

However, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur remains closed after the havoc caused by cyclone Vardah.

Chennai city police have made elaborate arrangements to control the large crowd that is expected at Marina and Tiruvanmiyur beaches during Kaanum Pongal festival, that falls on Monday. About 10 watch towers have been erected at Marina already and 1,000 policemen will be deployed at the beach to control the crowd. Six deputy commissioners will be in charge of the force, overseeing the security arrangements. 

City police sources said the entire water front would be barricaded to prevent people from getting in to the sea. Four wheel vehicles and mounted police will be deployed on the beach for crowd control. Coast Guard and Marine police will help the police monitor the water front and offer quick help in case of emergencies. 

“Whatever we have planned for Marina beach will also be duplicated at Besant Nagar and Tiruvanmiyur beaches. We expect the crowd turn out for Kaanum Pongal to be in lakhs and plan has been kept ready to manage the crowd,” a senior police official said. 

About 400 police personnel will be deployed at Tiruvanmiyur Beach. The traffic on Kamarajar Salai will be blocked during peak hours and policemen will also be deployed on the road to regulate crowd movement. Police have requested the public not to wear heavy jewellery or carry valuables when they come to the beach. Special police units with powerful binoculars will be watching the crowd to prevent cases of snatching and pick pocket. 

Parking of vehicles would be another major challenge for the traffic police as the limited space available on the beach will be filled sooner. Police said that vehicles would be allowed between the swimming pool and the lighthouse. 

The traffic police are yet to take a decision on whether to allow the vehicles to enter the beach as it would be difficult drive out of the beach once parked. “It would mostly be a floating crowd and most of them would be spending a short time on the beach. The crowd movement would be heavy and vehicles may not be able to make their way through the crowd. If we prevent vehicles from entering the beach, we will have to find alternative parking space for them,” the official added. 

Lakhs of people throng Marina during Kaanum Pongal, which is traditionally a day for the people to visit their relatives and to spend time out together. Even people from villages come to Marina Beach on this day. So far city police have managed to keep the uneventful with proper preparation and crowd management. However, there would be minor incidents of picking pockets, chain snatching and eve teasing reported during these days. Woman constables will be deployed to ward off trouble makers from the beach. Police have warned strict action against those who create public nuisance during Kaanum Pongal in places of public congregation. 

With the development of its southern suburbs, Tiruvanmiyur beach is also set to witness larger crowd for this Kaanum Pongal. Traffic to the beach is likely to choke the roads in the busy Tiruvanmiyur. Police have requested regular travellers to avoid taking their vehicles out during the peak afternoon hours on Monday.