more-in Kaanum Pongal, the final day of the festival, traditionally marked by trips to the beach, parks and other community spots, was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Puducherry. Residents thronged the beach promenade on Monday. A makeshift stage was set up next to the Gandhi Statue for cultural programmes. The police stood guard at different points along the beach promenade. However, officials noted that the crowd this year was comparatively lesser “I look forward to this particular day. It is always fun-filled as we meet our friends and relatives outside and enjoy the evening with them,” said Ramalingam, a resident of Kalapet. Many also visited temples and spent time at Bharathi Park. The beach was bustling with activity as tourists and residents of Puducherry were entertained with cultural programmes and handicraft exhibitions. Traffic restrictions Traffic was restricted on different approach roads leading to the beach. People had to park their vehicles at the parking zones at Old Port and the premises of the old distillery and walk towards the beach to greet their friends and relatives. The restrictions imposed over the past three days had caused lot of inconvenience to people who faced difficulties in reaching Beach Road, one of the main tourist spots in the city. Traffic bound to the Beach Road was diverted on Gingee Salai resulting in the piling up of vehicles coupled with traffic snarls. Patients had a harrowing time reaching the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital on Victor Simonel Street. A man picked up an argument with the police personnel who had stopped him at a barricade near the government hospital. He had to convince them that his child was sick and had to be taken for treatment. An injured motorist had to show his broken leg to the policeman on duty to be let in. Police also had a tough time managing the crowd. A senior traffic police officer said that traffic restrictions had reduced the inflow of the crowd to the beach. Many chose to stay away from the beach and chose other destinations to spend their time with families.

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