Thoothukudi: An inspection meeting with officials from all departments regarding the preparatory work for the Kandha Sashti festival was held today at the auditorium of the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare A. Srinath presided. District Collector Vishu Mahajan and SP Sivaprasad were present.
Later, the minister said: “The Kandha Sashti festival at the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple will be held from November 10 to 21. The main events, Soorasamharam and Thirukalyanam, will be held on November 15 and 16, respectively.
More than 10 lakh devotees are expected to visit during the 12 days of the festival season. In view of this festival, 4,298 police personnel, including 5 SPs, 16 ADSPs, and 50 DSPs, will be deployed for security duty. A dedicated control room will function within the temple premises.
A total of 493 CCTV cameras (384 permanent and 109 temporary cameras) and 26 LED screens will be used to provide announcements and ensure public safety. To control crowd congestion, 17 traffic inspectors have been appointed, and unobstructed routes will be ensured for emergency vehicles and fire engines.
In addition to regular buses from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Madurai, and Nagercoil, 135 special buses from other depots will also be operated, making a total of 302 buses. In addition, steps are being taken to operate special trains from Chennai and Tirunelveli.
Parking facilities to accommodate around 10,000 vehicles have been arranged at 12 locations. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board will supply 5 lakh litres of purified drinking water every day from November 10 to 15. Similarly, drinking water tanks will be placed at 30 locations on behalf of the municipal administration.
More than 130 sanitation workers will be engaged on a rotational basis. On behalf of the temple, 325 permanent and 300 temporary toilets are available for use, and on behalf of the municipality, 9 permanent toilets are available for use. Three super sucker machines are ready to remove sewage.
Three medical camps will be set up at the temple entrance, the Nali well, and the beach areas for medical and emergency services. These camps will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 10 and 11, and round the clock from November 12 to 15. ORS centers will be set up at 15 locations to provide for devotees. Six ambulances are on standby for emergency treatment,” the minister said.
He then inspected the temple’s coastal area. Those who participated in the event included temple trustee board chairman Arulmurugan, Joint Commissioner Arunasalam, ADSP Thibu, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Joint Commissioner Rojali Sumatha, Tiruchendur Revenue Divisional Officer Gautham, and DSP Maheshkumar.
