Madurai, Sep 9 (IANS) Security has been tightened at the Meenakshi Amman Temple and surrounding areas ahead of the Kumbabishekam scheduled for September 17, with authorities deploying advanced surveillance systems and establishing a round-the-clock control room to manage the expected influx of devotees.
More than 200 closed-circuit television and facial recognition cameras have been installed across the temple complex and nearby streets. Their feeds are being monitored through 51 LED screens at a central control room established in Puthu Mandapam, enabling officials to track crowd movement, detect congestion and identify suspicious persons.
Madurai District Collector Nishant Krishna and City Police Commissioner Rajendran inspected the control room and CCTV monitoring centre on Wednesday. They reviewed the clarity of the camera feeds, recording facilities and coordination among the departments involved in security and civic arrangements.
Deputy Commissioner of Police A.G. Inigo Thiyan said lakhs of devotees were expected to attend the ceremony, many of whom would gather along the four major streets surrounding the temple. Police were paying particular attention to the threat posed by property offenders who could exploit the crowds to steal valuables.
Photographs and criminal records of known property offenders have been uploaded to the facial recognition system. If any listed person is detected moving through the monitored areas, the software will match the face and immediately alert police personnel, allowing them to intervene quickly. The control room will function continuously for eight days.
About 160 officials from 10 departments, including the police, Madurai Corporation, Revenue Department and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, will work there in shifts to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and prompt coordination.
More than 300 walkie-talkies will be issued to field personnel for the rapid exchange of information on security, crowd control, sanitation, drinking-water supply and other emergencies. Complaints or shortages reported from any location can be relayed directly to the department concerned for immediate action.
Authorities are also arranging LED screens at heavily frequented locations, including Periyar Bus Stand and Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Stand, to broadcast the consecration ceremony live. The screens are expected to allow devotees unable to enter the temple vicinity to watch the rituals while easing pressure on the streets around the shrine.
Officials said the combined surveillance, communication and public-display arrangements were intended to ensure orderly movement and a safe Kumbabishekam for devotees.
–IANS
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