TIRUVANNAMALAI: The district administration and police department have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate pilgrims coming to the temple town on Saturday to offer prayers and perform Girivalam at the world-famous Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple on Chithra Pournami.
While the police department has engaged 2,000 police personnel to ensure the safety and security of devotees, the district administration would put up 11 medical booths to attend to any medical emergency.
Collector Anshul Mishra said, “As many as 11 medical booths, each with a doctor, nurse and three supporting staff have been set up along the Girivalam path and other parts of the town to attend to any medical urgencies. Also, devotees with symptoms of fever and cough would be screened for A(H1N1) and dengue.”
The medical booths will function round-the-clock from the beginning of the festival, he added.
The administration has also put up 200 dustbins along the Girivalam path. Sanitary workers will collect the garbage and keep the Girivalam path clean. Mishra has also ordered all TASMAC outlets here to remain shut on Saturday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Coimbatore H M Jayaram, also the former DIG of Vellore Range, will be at the helm of affairs in maintaining law and order.
Superintendent of Police R V Ramya Bharathi said, “We have roped in personnel from Cuddalore, Erode, Vellore, Salem City and Erode for security arrangements. They will be deployed from 6 am on Saturday until the festival’s end on Sunday.”
Apart from the 11 permanent police outpost booths in the town, the department has also established ‘May I Help You’ police booths at nine temporary bus stands,