PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Traffic Police have announced vehicle-free zones and traffic diversions ahead of the Vinayagar idol immersion procession on Sunday.
In a press release issued on Friday, the Superintendent of Police, Traffic (North-East), said, “As a continuation of the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival celebrated on Wednesday, the immersion of Vinayagar idols in the sea is to be held on Sunday. The idols from various places in Puducherry will congregate at Saram Avvai Thidal and then take out a procession via Kamaraj Salai, Nehru Street, MG Road, Ajanta Junction, Old Distillery, and Beach Road for immersion.”
The statement further said, “The idols from Muthialpet side will also be taken to Pattankadai Junction via Anna Salai, and the idols from Nellithope side will also be taken to Pattankadai Junction via Maraimalai Adigal Salai and Anna Salai.”
On traffic arrangements, the release said, “All heavy vehicles including town buses, route buses and also light motor vehicles coming from Kalapet via Muthialpet towards New Bus Stand, Puducherry shall have to take right at Muthialpet Ezhaimaramman Koil Junction, Shivaji Statue, Kokku Park, Rajiv Gandhi Square, Indira Gandhi Square, Nellithope and then reach Puducherry New Bus Stand.”
It added, “All heavy vehicles including town buses, route buses and also light motor vehicles proceeding towards Bussy Street, Ambour Salai, approaching via Muthialpet for Kalapet and Chennai shall have to take left-turn at Venkata Subbha Reddiyar Statue, Maraimalai Adigal Salai, Nellithope, Indira Gandhi Square, Rajiv Gandhi Square, Kokku Park, Shivaji Statue and then reach Kalapet and Chennai.”
The plying of all types of vehicles will be prohibited in Kamaraj Salai from Lenin Street Junction to Pattankadai Junction from 12 pm till the procession. Vehicle movement will also be restricted in Anna Salai from 3 pm till the procession enters JN Street, with diversions at Anna-45 Feet Road Junction and Odiansalai Junction.
“No vehicles will be allowed along the procession route covering JN Street, MG Road and SV Patel Salai. Commuters along this route are advised to avoid these roads during the timings to prevent inconvenience,” the statement said.