French quarter made no-vehicle zone in view of New Year celebrations

As part of the security arrangements for the New Year celebrations in Puducherry, the police have imposed restrictions including declaring the French quarter of the town a no-vehicle zone from 2 p.m. on Wednesday till 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Barring vehicles carrying patients to the Government General Hospital, no other vehicles will be allowed to enter the streets adjacent to the Beach Promenade. Vehicles carrying patients to the Government General Hospital will only be allowed on Saint Ange Street, Surcouf Street, and Gingee Salai 

The police have requested revellers to park their vehicles at New Port Uppalam, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School, Pondy Marina, Old Bus Stand Complex, Old Jail Complex, Old Law College (Gingee Salai-Bussy Street junction), Bharathidasan Government College for Women, Vasavi International School, Muthialpet, Fathima School, and Karuvadikuppam Main Road.

Arrangements have been made for free transport from the parking lots to Gingee Salai, S.V. Patel Salai, Bussy Street, and Sonampalayam junction on buses operated by the Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation. Tourists and residents planning to visit the Pondy Marina should take the internal roads near the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to reach Vambakeerapalayam Road. While returning, all two-wheelers will be diverted to exit through Gate No. 3, and all four-wheelers through Gate No. 4.

Traffic will be diverted at the following junctions from 2 p.m. on December 31 – Ezhai Mariamman Kovil for vehicles entering Puducherry via East Coast Road; Sivaji Square, Rajiv Gandhi square, C.V. Road junction, Mudaliarpet junction, Pattanikadai junction, GRT junction, Anna Salai-45 Road junction, Periyar Statue, and Nellithope junction, the traffic police said in a press release.

Vehicle checks would be conducted to prevent rash driving, triples riding, and drunken driving. Further, patrol vehicles have been deployed for a quick response to traffic-related issues and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.

2,000-strong police force

According to Deputy Inspector-General of Police R. Sathiyasundaram, around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed for law and order and traffic regulation. CCTV cameras have been installed at various places to monitor the movement of people, and spot any violation. Hundreds of plain-clothes police personnel would be deployed to bring offenders to book, he said. 

Dedicated booths have been established at all beaches and important junctions to guide visitors and handle emergencies. Police personnel deployed at the help desks would provide special identification tags to prevent children getting lost in the crowd.

Integrated surveillance has been stepped up at all major stretches, dark spots, and borders. Drones would conduct aerial monitoring of crowd density at Rock Beach, Pondy Marina, and other coastal areas. A total of 50 pickets have been placed at strategic locations.

Stern action would be initiated against miscreants and those misbehaving with women, Mr. Sathiyasundaram added.