: The city is gearing up for the second edition of the Cochin International Half Marathon to be held here on Sunday.
While enthusiastic runners are getting to the final legs of their preparation for the half marathon, the city police have put in strict security arrangements.
Additional Director General of Police K. Padmakumar and other senior police officers reviewed the security arrangements here recently.
A large contingent of police personnel will be present at the starting and finishing points and along the route to provide sufficient security. The route for the marathon has been changed from the previous year’s run due to the work on the Kochi Metro Rail.
The run will begin at Marine Drive and finish at Maharaja’s College ground.
Organisers expect about 16,000 people to take part in the half-marathon and short runs. Participants have already begun to arrive in the city ahead of the marathon.
Traffic along the route will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday.
During the time, vehicles arriving from Vypeen, Container Road to Shanmugham Road, Thevara, Vyttila, West Kochi should take Chittoor Road to go towards Vyttila, and via Panampilly Nagar, Thevara Ferry junction, and BOT bridge to head to West Kochi.
Those arriving from the Town Hall side should similarly head along the Chittoor Road or Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.
Those coming from Fort Kochi or Mattancherry towards the city will have to take the route along Koovappadam junction, Santo Gopalan Road, Parippu Junction, Mundamveli Road, Santa Maria Convent Road, K.V. Thomas Road, Kochupally Road, ESI Road, BOT Bridge and via Alexander Parambithara Road. Vehicles from Willingdon Island will have to take the route via Sift Junction and BOT East junction.
Parking will be restricted along Shanmugham Road, Park Avenue Road, Foreshore Road, Hospital Road, DH Road, P.T. Usha Road, MG Road, Thevara-Thoppumpady Road, P.T. Jacob Road, Beach road and other areas along the route.
Vehicles can be parked at Marine Drive parking ground, the route from High Court junction to CMFRI, Chathiath Road, Ernakulathappan Ground, and DH Ground.
