Arrangements for Attukal Pongala in full swing

Police have made elaborate arrangements to maintain security, District Police Chief Nagaraju Chakilam said.

Arrangements are in full swing in the State capital for the Attukal Pongala on February 25.

At a press conference here on Friday, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty said administrative sanction for ₹2.47 crore had been received from the government for emergency works to be completed by various government departments in connection with the festival.

District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) Nagaraju Chakilam said the police have made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order. Security arrangements are divided into two phases: from February 17 to 23 and from February 25 to 26.

In the first phase, 750 police personnel would be deployed, and in the second 3,500 personnel under the supervision of four superintendents of police. The arrangements include 10 aid posts, 33 picket posts, 15 foot patrol, four jeep patrol, five bike patrol, and four vehicle checking points.

On February 25, foot and vehicle patrol would be intensified in a 10-km radius of the temple.

Shadow police would be deployed in areas that see large gatherings.

Mufti women police personnel trained in self-defence will also be on duty. A 24-hour control room and an attached women control room had been set up. Besides, 180 CCTV cameras drone camera too had been deployed at four locations.