Arrangements in place for 'Aadi perukku' fest

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 2 (UNI) The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for 'Aadi perkukku' festival tomorrow.

Lakhs of people, especially newly-weds, throng River Cauvery for a holy bath and offer prayers to Goddess Cauvery for heralding prosperity and happiness.

Deputy Commissioner of Police K Rajasekharan told UNI here today that more than 200 policemen, apart from Home Guards National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, would be deployed at all important bathing ghats for crowd regulation.

Cameras will monitor movement of the people and pick anti-socials. Medical teams will be kept ready to handle any emergency.

Police personnel will be manning bridges across River Cauvery to prevent the enthusiastic youths jumping into the water.

Talking to UNI, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer T Padmakumar said the Tamilnadu Fire and Rescue Services Department had formed four special teams, each comprising seven persons, to be deployed in the bathing ghats.

Fire service personnel, especially swimmers, equipped with ropes and life jackets will be stationed on the river banks. A rubber boat fitted with engine will be ready to tackle emergencies.

UNI GSM GM 1440