Special safety measures put in place for Kallazhagar ceremony

Madurai: Madurai city police have made special arrangements to ensure the safety of devotees during the Lord Kallazhagar event, following a stampede last year that resulted in two deaths. This year, a separate path has been created from opposite Theni Anantham Silks entrance, and temporary steps have been set up around 50 metres from the spot where Kallazhagar will enter the Vaigai. A ramp has also been made at the North side of Obulapadithurai bridge. Devotees can use these ways and steps near Obulapadithurai Vaigai South Bank to enter the river.To prevent overcrowding, LED screens have been set up at nine locations to allow devotees to witness the Lord Kallazhagar event live. In addition, several public places such as Madurai Corporation office, Tamukkam ground, Eco Park, Gandhi Museum, Rajaji Park, PWD office, and Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women, will be kept open to accommodate the devotees.More than 5,000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety of the public. Madurai city police will use facial detection and recognition technology to monitor the movement of any suspicious individuals, and the People Count System app will be used to keep track of the number of people in a crowd in real-time. In case of an increase in numbers, security cover will be increased, and alternate arrangements will be made in the area. As many as 350 CCTV cameras are connected to two police control rooms for surveillance along the route of the Lord Kallazhagar procession, and drone cameras with Drone and Payloads technology will be used to record video and make audio announcements for the public. Twelve bomb detection and disposal squads will also be in place to ensure the safety of the public.Police are urging devotees to avoid staying or sleeping on the roadsides for their safety.