Tiruchi gears up for Vinayaka idol immersion; traffic diversions announced

This image is used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: M. Moorthy Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Tiruchi for the Vinayaka Chaturthi idol processions scheduled for Wednesday for immersion in the Cauvery River.Tiruchi City Police granted permission for installation of 235 Vinayaka idols at various public places across the city as part of the celebrations held on Monday. The idols, big and small, will be taken out in procession from their locations on Wednesday and immersed in the river.As many as 1,300 police personnel have been deployed to regulate the processions and maintain security at important road junctions and other sensitive locations.The city police have also announced traffic diversions to facilitate the movement of the processions and prevent congestion. The diversions will come into effect from 6 p.m. on September 16 and remain in force until 6 a.m. on September 17.All city buses entering from No. 1 Tollgate side will be terminated at Mambazhasalai and return via Amma Mandapam, Srirangam and Tiruvanaikovil. All city buses operating from the Central Bus Stand will be temporarily halted at the Chathiram Bus Stand.Mofussil buses arriving from Thuraiyur, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Jayankondam will reach the TVS Tollgate via Palpannai and proceed to the Central Bus Stand. From there, they will resume their respective routes.No vehicular traffic will be permitted between Anna Statue and Odathurai via Sanjeevi Nagar, or between Mambazhasalai and Anna Statue, during the diversion period.City buses headed to Chathiram Bus Stand from Tiruverumbur, if required, will have to use the TVS Tollgate–Head Post Office (HPO) route to reach the Central Bus Stand after 6 p.m. City buses headed to Chathiram Bus Stand via Palakkarai from Panjapur and the Central Bus Stand will not be allowed to go via the HPO–Palakkarai route after 6 p.m. Instead, they must take the MGR Statue–Student Road–Sastri Road route.Alternative routes have also been prescribed for freight and heavy vehicles from 7 a.m. on September 16. Published - September 15, 2026 08:17 pm IST