Mahabs comes to a standstill

The last leg of security arrangements for the bilateral meet between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping saw the otherwise quiet temple town of Mamallapuram come to a standstill. Tourism has already been fully suspended and heavy restrictions have been placed on all vehicle movements within the town. However, even as the Coast guard and Naval forces continue their round the clock surveillance of the sea terrain, few trespassers have managed to breach the security blanket to reportedly take a dip in the sea. Cops on horseback have now been deployed at the Mammalapuram-Kovalam sea stretch to prevent such incidences. Sources indicated that these mounted cops will maintain a 24/7 vigil on all three days of the summit, in shifts.

All schools and colleges along ECR-OMR route have also reportedly declared a two day holiday, beginning Friday. The institutions will compensate for these days in the upcoming Saturdays, said sources.

Extending their support to the government the Trader's associations in Chennai and Kanchipuram have announced that all shops will remain closed on Friday. However, the shops will be reopened on Saturday, said sources. Cinema theatres along the route too will run no shows on Friday. The services will reportedly resume from Saturday evening.

There has been no information regarding public transport services along the route.

Health minister Dr C.Vijayabasker visited Mammalapuram on Thursday morning and inspected the arrangements in place. Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami is expected to visit the town later in the evening.