CHENNAI: With the violence that rocked the capital only two days ago remaining fresh in memory, the Chennai police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that no untoward incidents are reported during the Republic Day celebration.
Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Additional Commissioner (Headquarters) S N Seshasai said that during the two-week protest against the ban on jallikattu, there were exhortations by protesters against celebrating Republic Day. “Keeping this in mind and not wanting to take any chances, we have deployed our entire police force and also brought in force from other districts,” the officer said.
As many as 25,000 police personnel, including four ADGPs, 14 IGs and 17 SPs from other districts will be deployed in the city on Thursday.
Meanwhile, vehicles have been diverted at various points in and around Kamarajar Salai since January 23 to maintain law and order.
Abhay Kumar Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said that no vehicles would be allowed from Wallajah point towards War Memorial.
Traffic arrangements
The stretch of Kamarajar Salai from Light House up to War Memorial will be closed for all vehicles from 6 to 10 am. All commercial vehicles coming from Adyar and proceeding to Broadway on Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at Greenways point towards R K Mutt Road, Luz junction, Luz Church Road, Karpagambal Nagar, Sivasamy Salai, Royapettah High Road, Royapettah Tower Clock, Whites Road, Smith Road, and Anna Salai to reach Broadway.
Other vehicles, including MTC buses, will be diverted at Santhome High Road and Kutchery Road junction. Vehicles would take Kutchery Road, Luz junction, R K Mutt Road, Mandaveli junction, South Canal Bank Road, Srinivasapuram and reach Foreshore Estate.
MTC bus route No 21-G coming from Luz junction heading to Gandhi Statue will be diverted via Nilgiris Junction-Whites Road, Smith Road, Anna Salai and reach Broadway. Similarly, MTC bus route No 12G and 45B will be diverted via Nilgiris Junction-left-Music Academy, government Royapettah hospital, Royapettah tower clock, Whites Road, Anna Salai, Walajah Road and reach Anna Square.
Vehicles will not be allowed beyond RK Salai and Dr Natesan Road and Avvai Shanmugam Salai junction towards Gandhi Statue on Kamarajar Salai. They would be diverted towards Ice House junction. Also, vehicles from Besant Road towards Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at Besant Road Rountana towards Ice House junction.