Police will close several high-traffic areas, such as Foreshore Service Road, Elliot’s Beach, to vehicles from 7 pm on 31 Dec to 6 am on 1 Jan to ease congestion.
Published Dec 31, 2024 | 4:48 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 31, 2024 | 4:48 PM
Fireworks over Chennai night sky (Wikimedia Commons)
The Greater Chennai Police has implemented a comprehensive plan for New Year’s Eve, encompassing traffic management, public safety, and enhanced security measures across the city.
To ease congestion, the police have focused on high-traffic areas such as Marina Beach and Elliot’s Beach. Authorities will close Foreshore Service Road to incoming traffic and parking from 7 pm on 31 December to 6 am on 1 January, allowing vehicles to exit only through the Light House junction.
Kamarajar Salai, between the War Memorial and Light House, will also be closed to vehicles during these hours. Traffic from Adyar to Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at Greenways Road and South Canal Road junction. Drivers can take alternative routes via Mandaveli, RA Puram 2nd Main Road, RK Mutt Road, and Luz Mylapore. Access to Kamarajar Salai from Wallajah Point, Swami Sivananda Salai, and other roads will also be restricted.
Parking arrangements near Kamarajar Salai include 17 locations, such as Swami Sivananda Salai, Wallajah Road, Island Grounds, and Kalai Vanar Arangam.
The traffic restrictions will also apply to Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, which will be similarly redirected to alternative routes.
At Elliot’s Beach, vehicle access to 6th Avenue will be restricted from 8 pm on 31 December to 6 am on 1 January, with blocks at the 5th Avenue, 4th Main Road, 3rd Main Road, 16th Cross Street, and 7th Avenue MG Road junctions near Annai Velankanni Church. Parking near Elliot’s Beach will be permitted only in designated single-line zones at Besant Nagar.
🚔 Greater Chennai Police Alert 🚔
We’ve made all necessary security arrangements to ensure a smooth and joyous New Year celebration across all 12 police districts in Chennai. 🎉
Let’s welcome 2025 happily and without any inconvenience to others. Stay safe and enjoy…
— GREATER CHENNAI POLICE -GCP (@chennaipolice_) December 31, 2024
Meanwhile, all 23 flyovers in the city will be closed from 10 pm on 31 December to 6 am on 1 January.
Keeping public safety in mind during the celebrations, mobile surveillance teams equipped with public address systems will be stationed at key locations to monitor crowded areas and traffic hotspots. Emergency medical vehicles will also be available at public gathering points.
ANPR and CCTV cameras will monitor traffic compliance and security in real time. Temporary watchtowers in high-traffic zones have also been erected to bolster crime prevention, with a focus on the protection of women and children.
Furthermore, authorities have prioritised safety along the coastline. Police have installed warning banners in high-risk areas to deter swimmers and stationed “anti-drowning” swimmers from Coastal Security Guards on standby. Mounted Branch patrols will add an extra layer of security along the coastline.
Additional security personnel to over 100 places of worship and public spaces, including temples and churches, to ensure peaceful celebrations across Chennai.
Police have banned the bursting of firecrackers in all public and residential spaces. Celebrations involving light amplifiers in residential areas will require prior approval from the police.
30 Anti-racing monitoring patrols, will operate in areas such as Guindy, Adyar, Tharamani, Neelankarai, Thuraipakkam, Maduravoyal Bypass Road, and GST Road to prevent stunts and reckless driving.
Violators will face strict penalties for these and other infractions, including drink driving, rash driving, and riding without helmets.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from K Nitika Shivani)
