Authorities at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur have made arrangements to tackle the huge rush of visitors expected to visit the zoo during the Pongal holidays.
Twenty ticket counters will be open at Vandalur zoo from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed to monitor crowd behaviour and policemen in civil clothes will also be present at various spots inside the zoo, said director K.S.S.V.P. Reddy.
A place has been earmarked near the main entrance for visitors to eat. They will not be allowed to carry snacks or beverages inside the zoo to avoid animal feeding.
A parking slot that can accommodate nearly 1,000 vehicles has also been created. More than 150 forest officers from Chennai, Vellore and Villupuram divisions will be on duty at the zoo to man the crowds, said Mr. Reddy.
An ambulance with a team of doctors and a fire tender will be in place to handle any emergency. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation will operate nearly 500 services to the zoo from various parts of the city.
More than 200 student volunteers of the National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme, belonging to Madras Christian College, Vivekananda College and Loyola College, will be roped in on the festival days.
