Date:11/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/11/stories/2008011155590300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Elaborate arrangements made for Thai Poosam

Staff Reporter

PALANI: Elaborate arrangements have been made for Thai Poosam festival to be celebrated on January 23 at Sri Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple here.

The temple administration has set up 42 temporary shelters on Palani-Oddanchatram, Dharapuram-Palani and Udumalpet-Palani highways to enable pilgrims to relax on their way to the temple. The transport corporation will operate 250 buses to Palani from different places, Collector R. Vasuki said at a special meeting held at the temple office here on Thursday.

Top priority has been given for health, hygiene and safety. The municipality has recruited 500 temporary sanitary workers to clear wastes. A van and three drivers have been deputed exclusively to clear garbage on giri veedhis. “Municipal officials must make the four giri veedhis litter free zone,” she said.

Ten toilets — six on Palani pass road, two on Udumalpet main road and two on hill stations — have been constructed. If necessary, mobile toilets will be brought to the town. Drinking water tanks will be installed at 15 places. Municipal health staff have been advised to check food sold in all restaurants and hotels. Over 2,500 police personnel will be deployed for the festival.

Medical camps

Five medical camps will be set up at Padha Vinayagar temple, the hill temple, mid-way to the temple and two other prominent places in the town. A paramedical camp, with three doctors and medical equipment, will be set up at the hill temple guesthouse. Private doctors will be roped in to provide better medical care to pilgrims. A motor pump will be installed at the temple and three fire tenders will wait on giri veedhis.

Ms. Vasuki ordered highways officials to complete patchwork on Dindigul-Palani highway within three days and advised the TNEB staff to maintain uninterrupted power supply till the festival. Qualified swimmers from fire services could be deployed near the Shanmuga.

Oddanchatram-Palani Main Road will be converted into one way from January 20-23. All buses proceeding to Palani will pass through Oddanchatram Main Road. Those returning from Palani will be diverted through Kallimandhayam, Dharapuram main road to reach Oddanchatram. A temporary bus stand will also be set up in the municipal school.