The Greater Chennai Traffic Police have issued a traffic advisory for the annual Annai Velankanni Shrine festival in Besant Nagar. The festivities commenced on Thursday, August 29th, and will continue until September 8th. The festival draws a significant number of devotees and visitors, leading to increased traffic congestion in the area.
Traffic Diversions
Several processions are scheduled during the festival, including the flag hoisting and Eucharistic chariot procession, which starts from the church at 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 29th. The procession route includes 6th Avenue Beach Road, 3rd Main Road, 2nd Avenue, and 7th Avenue, where an estimated one lakh people are expected to participate or witness the procession. Similar processions are scheduled for September 1st at 5:30 pm and September 7th at 5:30 pm.
Vehicles traveling from Thiru.Vi.ka Bridge towards Besant Nagar or Shastri Nagar via Besant Avenue Road (Theosophical Society Road) will generally proceed without restriction. However, in case of traffic congestion, vehicles will be redirected towards Dr. Muthu Lakshmi Park (ML Park), then to LB Road, MG Road, Besant Nagar 1st Main Road, Shastri Nagar Bus Depot, and 2nd Avenue Road to reach their destinations.
Parking Arrangements
North Chennai:
Visitors from north Chennai can park their vehicles at the following locations: * Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School
* Aringar Anna Government Higher Secondary School
* Besant Nagar 2nd Main Road
* 4th Avenue
* Besant Nagar 1st Cross Street
* 17th Cross Street
ECR/OMR Route:
Travelers from the ECR/OMR via Thiruvanmiyur junction towards Adyar will continue as usual, unless there is significant traffic on LB Road. In such cases, they will be redirected towards TIDEL Park Junction and OMR to reach Kotturpuram or Adyar.
South Chennai:
Visitors from south Chennai and ECR/OMR will need to park their vehicles at the Kalakshetra Foundation.
