THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Advertisement campaign vehicles will not be allowed along the annual Navaratri procession from Tamil Nadu to the state capital, said Tourism and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
The minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the arrangements for the festival. Vehicles fitted with loudspeakers have been banned. The District Collector and District Police Chief have been assigned with the arrangements for the procession.
The District Collector will coordinate with his counterpart in Kanyakumari. The minister asked the meeting to restrict entry to the Uppirikka Malika of the Padmanabhapuram Palace.
Only those who are essential for the ceremony need to be allowed. Food and accommodation should be ensured for the police and devaswom officials from Tamil Nadu. Maintenance works of the roads on the procession route should be conducted immediately.
The Health Department should arrange medical facilities, including an ambulance. The KWA will provide drinking water.Temporary marquees and water will be arranged for the rest of the elephants at different places.
The meeting was attended by MLAs V S Sivakumar, O Rajagopal, IG Jayaraj, District Police Chief P Prakash, Tamil Nadu joint commissioner M Anbumani, Padmanabhapuram sub-collector Rajagopal Sankara and Thiruvananthapuram ADM V R Vinod.
Other decisions
Vehicles fitted with loudspeakers have been banned.
The Health Department should arrange medical facilities, including an ambulance.
Only those who are essential for the ceremony need to be allowed.
Food and accommodation should be ensured for the police and devaswom officials from Tamil Nadu.