It has been a tough time for City Traffic police in regulating vehicles as thousands of people throng Masi streets for Deepavali shopping. With introduction of a plan and deployment of additional police personnel, Deepavali shopping has become smooth in the last three days.
Commissioner of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal announced restriction on the movement of heavy vehicles on Masi streets during daytime since Saturday and that had helped the police, said shoppers and shopkeepers.
“Only two-wheelers are allowed on Masi streets these days. The ban on entry of lorries has provided ample space on Masi streets and two-wheelers are parked here without causing much inconvenience to shoppers,” said Inspector of Police (Traffic) Dhanasekaran.
As announced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Arun Balagopalan, the traffic police are taking quick decisions on allowing vehicles depending upon the size of the crowd from time to time.
“Mini buses from Periyar and Arapalayam bus stands are allowed to enter Masi streets to help shoppers reach their favourite shops/areas when the crowd is less and manageable. As and when the crowd swells, the buses are diverted on the peripheral roads of Masi streets,” he said.
At least 2,000 bikes were parked on one half of East Masi Street while the other half was used for movement of people on Monday. Otherwise, most of the two-wheelers were parked in the parking lot of the old Central Vegetable Market ground.
Hundreds of roadside vendors too vied with shop owners in selling all kinds of materials, from floor mats to plastic buckets, from umbrellas to frocks, from kitchen items to women’s accessories.
“The festival is for all. But, these vendors are regulated depending on the crowd movement,” a police officer said. The crowd in Vilakkuthoon spilled over to Kamaraj Salai too. The decisions on regulating vehicles in core shopping areas are spread quickly over walkie-talkies to police personnel deployed in various corners and junctions.
Sunday’s big crowd was possible also because of the absence of rain.
