Chennai, Sep 21 (PTI) Over 2,000 Vinayagar idols were peacefully immersed in the sea across four designated coastal areas in the city following the Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations, police said on Monday.
A total of 2,054 idols were transported in processions and immersed on Sunday. The idols originated from three jurisdictions, comprising 1,440 from the Greater Chennai Police limits, 224 from the Avadi Police Commissionerate, and 390 from the Tambaram Police Commissionerate, according to a police release.
The immersions took place at Pattinapakkam (Srinivasapuram) with 1,302 idols, Neelankarai (Palkalai Nagar) with 560 idols, Kasimedu Fishing Harbour with 184 idols, and Tiruvottiyur (Behind Popular Weighbridge) with eight idols.
To ensure safety and order, an elaborate security blanket was established with 16,500 police personnel drawn from various wings, including Law and Order, Traffic and Special Branch, the release added.
They were assisted by 2,000 Home Guards deployed along the procession routes and at the immersion points.
Extensive logistical arrangements were made under the direction of Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj.
Facilities at the immersion sites included temporary police control rooms, cranes, conveyor belts, and JCB machines to handle the idols. Security was bolstered by CCTVs and drones, while ambulances, fire engines, Coast Guard vessels, and boats with skilled volunteer swimmers were kept on standby for emergencies.
Earlier, various Hindu outfits and the public had installed 1,562 Vinayagar idols in public places within the Greater Chennai Police limits, adhering to official guidelines, the release said.
While some idols were immersed in local waterbodies following prayers, the remaining were transported for the large-scale coastal immersion on Sunday. PTI JR KH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.