Security in place at Marina for 1 lakh visitors
Police also set up cameras at high-rises and on hot-air balloons for security.
Chennai: With around 25,000 people turning up at the Marina on Wednesday, the day preceding ‘Kaanum Pongal’ city police have estimated the turnout at the beach to be at least one lakh on Thursday.
Security measures are already in place since Sunday and the whole coastline has been barricaded with wooden fences to prevent people from venturing into the sea, a senior police official said.
Police are also contemplating setting up cameras at high-rises and on hot-air balloons for security.
As many as 12,000 police personnel would be deployed across the city and mounted squad and police on all-terrain vehicles would guard the shores, a senior officer said.
Apart from the Greater Chennai police, the coastal security group has also put up measures to prevent mishaps at the beach - marine commandos, speed boats and divers are kept on standby at all times.
Marina and Elliots beach in the city and other spots like shopping malls and public parks would attract huge crowds on Thursday and it is imperative that heavy security systems are in place, a senior police official added.