Swimming in Puducherry beach banned for 10 days

Crowd management: In a meeting held on Thursday, Chief Secretary Manoj Parida discussed the steps to be taken to tackle the heavy inflow of tourists.

The government has decided to ban entry of tourists into the sea near the beach for the next 10 days.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting convened by Chief Secretary Manoj Parida on Thursday to review the preparedness of various agencies in handling large inflow of tourists during the next weekend.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology, which is entrusted with beach nourishment work, had been asked to put up barricades and posters about the ban.

It was decided to place small wooden ladders for women and the elderly. The police have been asked to open up Uppalam sports ground for additional parking facility in case of over crowding. Two buses will be stationed at Beach Road and Uppalam sports ground to ferry tourists.

Besides, the Department of Culture will organise events on August 12, 14, 15, 16 and 20. The Tourism Department will organise a fire show on August 15 and cultural programmes on August 17, 18 and 19.