The Hindu : Web site launched for Mahamaham

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 22, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Web site launched for Mahamaham

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, FEB.21. An exclusive website, providing details of the security measures, traffic diversions, route maps and information on other utility services, on the Mahamaham festival has been launched by the police.

The website, www.mahamahampolice.com, to go online tonight, would detail the security arrangements made in view of the festival and also provide exhaustive information on the temple town, the temporary police stations, police assistance booths, traffic regulations, entry and exit routes, missing and traced persons and utility services. All these details would also be made available at the official website of the State police, www.tn.gov.in/police.htm and that of the Department of Municipal Administration, S. George, Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, told media persons here today.

Providing details of the security and traffic arrangements being made for the festival to be celebrated between February 25 and March 10, Mr. George said the police was fully geared up to ensure the safety and security of the anticipated turn out of over 50 lakh devotees during the 15 day period. The security arrangements would not be `intimidatory' but only regulatory and the deployment would be proportional to the crowd turnout, he said.

Thirty-two temporary police stations, nine mobile police stations, 27 highway traffic patrols, 17 police town patrols and 59 police assistance booths would function during the period. Complaints would be accepted in all the temporary police stations. A handbook laying down detailed guidelines on security and safety measures has also been brought for police personnel.

Entry to the Mahamaham tank would be only through the eastern side (North Eastern and South Eastern corners) while the exit points would be in the western side. Twenty-one shutter gates have been installed around the tank to regulate the crowd flow. Six speed dome cameras and 21 CCTVs have been installed to monitor the crowd flow.

Signboards and route maps have been put up at vantage points. A crisis management team and a commando force would also be at hand to handle emergency situations.

Three control rooms including a master control room and separate ones for the tank and traffic would be in operation. Twenty temporary fire stations have also been established.

Regular traffic flow would be maintained in the town till February 29 and traffic regulations would come into force from March 1. Movement of all vehicles would be strictly prohibited within the town on March 5 and 6. Separate entry and exit routes have also been notified for devotees arriving by trains.

All buses entering the town would be diverted to the nine temporary bus stands from March 1 onwards. Devotees would not be required to walk for more than 3.5 km for reaching the Mahamaham tank from the temporary bus stands, Mr. George said.

The police have also issued elaborate and separate security guidelines for the visiting devotees and residents of Kumbakonam to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

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