Attukal Pongala Duty: City cops geared up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city Traffic Police are ready for action for the grandest event in the city - the Attukal Pongala. During the Pongala festival days - from February 28 to March 8 - 400 personnel from  Traffic will be on duty in various parts of the city to ensure the smooth conduct of the events. “We have two plans for the event. One, for the entire ten days and another for the day of offering the Pongala,” said Mohanan P, Assistant Commissioner, Traffic (South).On a normal day, around 140 Traffic Police personnel are on duty in various parts of the city in two shifts. But on Pongala festival days, the number will be increased to 400. For this, the full strength of the Traffic Police will be deployed. In addition, 200 persons from the Special Armed Police will also be on duty. On the main day of the festival, the maximum number of personnel will be deployed in the first shift.Meanwhile, the KSRTC will operate additional services between East Fort and Attukal during the festival days. The services would have a one-way route. While they would take the normal route to the temple, the return would be via Killippalam Bund Road, ending their trips at Killippalam. This is a new step which has been made possible by the new Killippalam bridge.Parking arrangements for the vehicles coming from the northern parts of the district like Attingal or Kilimanoor will be made on the two service roads of Chackai and one side of the Chackai Bypass.Those coming from south will have to park their vehicles on Poojappura ground. Parking facilities will also be arranged on the premises of schools and colleges in the respective areas.As usual, no vehicles - including two-wheelers -  will be allowed into the temple premises on the day of offering the Pongala.“On the day main Pongala day, a traffic jam will form in almost all parts of the district. So, we cannot neglect any spot,” said Mohanan.