Chennai Traffic Police has announced route diversions and designated parking around Besant Nagar as the annual Annai Velankanni Church festival runs from August 29 to September 8. The first major traffic intervention begins with Saturday’s 4.30 pm flag-hoisting and chariot procession, with Elliot’s Beach and adjoining roads expected to see heavy pedestrian and vehicle movement.
Motorists travelling through Besant Nagar will face temporary traffic changes as Chennai begins managing the large crowds expected for the Annai Velankanni Church festival, which starts on August 29 and continues until September 8.
The opening ceremony on Saturday includes flag hoisting at 4.30 pm, followed by a chariot procession. A major chariot procession is scheduled for September 7 at 7.30 pm, followed by the flag-lowering ceremony on September 8. Another Eucharistic procession is listed for August 31 in reporting based on the police communication.
Traffic restrictions around the procession route will affect sections of 6th Avenue, or Beach Road, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Main Road and 7th Avenue. Police have advised motorists to avoid Elliot’s Beach and adjoining streets during the principal procession periods because of the expected concentration of pedestrians and vehicles.
Vehicles approaching Besant Nagar from East Coast Road and Old Mahabalipuram Road are to be diverted through Adyar Bus Depot, Indira Nagar 2nd Avenue and Indira Nagar 1st Main Road towards LB Road. Buses will be routed through MG Road and Shastri Nagar 1st Main Road.
Separate parking locations have been identified at Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School, Arignar Anna Government Higher Secondary School, Besant Nagar 2nd Main Road, 4th Avenue and 17th Cross Street.
The festival itself runs for 11 days, but motorists should not interpret the advisory as meaning that every Besant Nagar road will remain diverted continuously until September 8. Current reports indicate that the most significant restrictions are tied to major processions and ceremonies. Live police instructions will therefore matter on individual event days
