Key Takeaways:
- Greater Chennai Police have deployed 19,000 personnel and 1,500 Home Guards to ensure safe New Year celebrations.
- Vehicle checkpoints, beach closures and drone surveillance will be in place from 9pm ahead of New Year’s Day.
- Special teams target illegal bike racing and protect places of worship, public venues and women and children.
- Medical, coastal rescue and traffic enforcement units are on standby to manage emergencies and maintain order.
The Greater Chennai City Police have mobilised an extensive security operation ahead of New Year’s celebrations to ensure residents and visitors can celebrate safely. Acting on instructions from Commissioner of Police A. Arun, the force will deploy around 19,000 personnel supported by 1,500 Home Guards across the city.
Chennai New Year security
Enhanced security measures will come into effect from 9pm on Wednesday and include vehicle check posts at 425 locations. Inspectors, sub‑inspectors, police constables, Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) personnel will be positioned at beaches, religious sites, major roads and other high‑footfall areas.
To curb dangerous activities, such as illegal bike racing, 30 dedicated surveillance and check teams will patrol hotspots including Guindy, Adyar, Taramani, Neelankarai–Thoraipakkam, the Maduravoyal bypass and the GST Road. Tambaram City Police will supplement these operations with 60 vehicle check teams on major arterial and sub‑arterial roads such as ECR, OMR, Radial Road and ORR.
Security at more than 100 major temples, churches and other places of worship has been strengthened. Temporary Police Assistance Booths will be set up along key beach stretches including Marina, Santhome and Kamarajar Salai, and mounted police and all‑terrain vehicles will monitor coastal zones.
As part of the coastal safety plan, the Tamil Nadu Police, Coastal Security Group and the Marina Beach Anti‑Drowning Unit will work jointly. Warning signboards have been installed and a temporary ban on entering or bathing in the sea will be enforced from Wednesday evening until 1 January. Drone cameras and mobile surveillance teams equipped with public‑address systems and high‑visibility lighting will monitor crowd movement and detect incidents early.
Organisers of events at government‑approved recreation clubs, hotels and star hotels have been directed to ensure the safety of women and children. Children will not be permitted in areas where alcohol is being served. Bars classified under FL‑2 and FL‑3 licences will be required to operate strictly within licence conditions, and any contraventions will attract stringent action.
Traffic management measures include 30 two‑wheeler patrol teams to promote road safety and provide assistance. Police have warned that strict enforcement will be applied for drunk driving, traffic violations and nuisance behaviour. Measures will include vehicle seizure and case registration where warranted.
Emergency response capacity has been bolstered. A fleet of 108 ambulances with medical teams will be on standby near crowded locations and key public areas. Temporary watch towers, under the supervision of senior officers, have been planned to deter crime — with particular emphasis on preventing offences against women and children.
Authorities have also prohibited the bursting of firecrackers in public and residential areas. Within apartment complexes and residential localities, New Year events and loudspeaker use will require prior permission from police and relevant departments. Violators face enforcement action.
Police have appealed to the public to cooperate with officers, follow diversion routes in areas affected by metro rail works and celebrate responsibly. The comprehensive security arrangements aim to strike a balance between festive celebration and public safety, ensuring New Year festivities proceed without major incident.
