The Greater Chennai Police have deployed 16,500 police personnel and 2,000 Home Guards across the city on Sunday, 20 September as hundreds of large Ganesh idols are scheduled to be taken in processions and immersed at sea, marking the culmination of Ganesh Chaturthi 2026. The elaborate security and traffic apparatus is among the largest assembled for a single-day religious event in Chennai in recent years.

Scale of the Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi was observed on 14 September, with approximately 37,000 idols installed at public locations across Tamil Nadu after police permission was granted. Of these, 1,562 idols were placed and worshipped specifically within Chennai. While some smaller idols have already been immersed over preceding days, the bulk of the larger, high-profile idols are set for procession and immersion on Sunday.

Designated Immersion Points and Logistics

Authorities have earmarked four coastal locations for immersion: Srinivasa Puram in Pattinapakkam, University Nagar in Neelankarai, Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, and the area behind the Popular Weighing Platform in Tiruvottiyur. All idol transports must follow approved routes and immerse only at these authority-assigned sites — violations will attract legal action, police said.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has coordinated special arrangements at each site. Boats will be deployed to carry larger idols into deeper waters, while two trolleys and two cranes have been positioned to assist with the heaviest installations. Temporary control rooms and assistance centres have been established at every immersion point, with all necessary equipment pre-positioned.

Emergency and Safety Measures

Authorities have positioned fire engines, ambulances, motorboats, and trained swimmer volunteers at immersion sites to respond to emergencies. Watchtowers have been installed at key locations, and both binoculars and drones will be used to monitor procession routes and immersion zones in real time. Mounted police teams will conduct intensive patrols to deter criminal activity and ensure a swift response to any untoward incident.

Traffic diversions will be enforced as processions approach the beachfront, and commuters have been advised to plan alternate routes for Sunday.

Saturday's Procession in Tambaram Belt

Ahead of the main Sunday immersion, more than 75 idols installed across Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallikaranai, Pallavaram, Velachery, and Kovilambakkam were taken out in a procession led by Shiv Sena members on Saturday. Accompanied by drums, the idols were transported in vans to the Palavakkam seashore and immersed with the help of two trolleys and two cranes under a heavy police presence.

What to Expect Sunday

The Sunday immersions are expected to draw large crowds to all four designated coastal sites, with processions likely to cause significant traffic disruption along Chennai's beachfront corridors. Authorities have urged devotees to follow designated routes, cooperate with police, and use only the authorised immersion points. The deployment signals both the civic importance of the event and the administration's intent to ensure it passes without incident.