Chennai tightens security ahead of New Year, beach access restricted! details inside

Chennai: The City Police have implemented measures to ensure a peaceful and secure New Year's celebration, as announced by the Police Commissioner's office. A release from the office outlined several restrictions and initiatives set to be in place from the evening of December 31st to the early morning of January 1st.

To maintain public safety, access to the seafront areas of beaches like Marina Beach, Elliot’s Beach, Santhome Beach, and Neelankarai Beach will be restricted during this period. Temporary police outposts have been established on these beaches to deter individuals from venturing towards the seafront.

According to the traffic advisory, the Foreshore Service Road will be closed for traffic from 7 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1. Vehicles will not be allowed to park on the road from 7 pm, while all vehicles will be permitted to exit through the lighthouse junction. Kamarajar Salai from the War Memorial to the lighthouse will remain closed from 8 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1. Traffic will be prohibited from the RBI subway (North) towards Rajaji Salai and from Wallajah Point towards War Memorial on Flagstaff Road from 8 pm. All flyovers will be closed for traffic from 10 pm on December 31 till 6 am on January 1.

Additionally, at Elliots Beach towards 6th Avenue, traffic restrictions will come into effect from 8 pm on December 31 until 6 am on January 1. Routes to 6th Avenue will remain blocked. Additionally, as per reports, the authorities have assembled 25 police teams tasked with monitoring individuals engaged in reckless racing on two-wheelers. These teams will be stationed across key areas like Guindy, Adyar, Taramani, Neelankarai, Thoraipakkam, as well as on significant roads including the Maduravoyal-Tambaram bypass and the GST Road.

In an effort to streamline traffic management, police checks will be conducted at 420 locations. Barricades will be placed on roads to regulate vehicle speed and movement. A force comprising 18,000 police personnel and 1,500 Tamil Nadu home guard personnel will be deployed throughout the city to manage any disturbances that may arise during the celebrations.

Furthermore, surveillance will be heightened near 100 churches, and strict guidelines have been established for residents' welfare associations intending to organize New Year events. These associations must obtain prior permission for celebrations and even for the use of loudspeakers. Additionally, the police have imposed a ban on the bursting of crackers during the New Year's festivities.

A fleet of 1,002 patrol vehicles will also be deployed to increase vigilance and response to any untoward incidents.