Puducherry: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally to be addressed by party founder Vijay at the Uppalam Helipad Ground on Tuesday has effectively turned into a high-sensitivity security exercise, with the Puducherry Police rolling out restrictions usually seen during VIP movements and large-scale protests rather than routine political gatherings.

While TVK had projected the event as part of Vijay’s district-to-district outreach, authorities appear determined to avoid any repeat of recent crowd-control failures in Tamil Nadu.

Officials said the Karur stampede-like scare and the massive turnout at TVK youth events in the past few months prompted them to adopt an unusually cautious approach.

Apart from capping attendance at 5,000 people, police have made QR-code passes mandatory, barred the issuance of passes to participants from Tamil Nadu, and deployed additional CCTV monitoring around approach roads.

Multiple flying squads have also been stationed at entry points to check for unauthorised crowds, vehicles, and banned paraphernalia.

The rally, approved between 10 am and noon, will see Vijay arrive by 10.30 am via the East Coast Road before addressing supporters from his campaign vehicle. Sources indicated that police will enforce a “dynamic cordon” around the actor-politician’s convoy — widening or tightening the security ring based on crowd movement.

To avoid public inconvenience, the administration has instructed that no cut-outs, arches, or posters be installed along highways or public roads without prior clearance, citing Madras High Court guidelines.

TVK volunteers have been warned against climbing buildings, compound walls, or trees to get a glimpse of their leader — a common occurrence at his previous meetings.

In coordination with event organisers, authorities have placed 20 water tanks of 1,000 litres each near the venue, set up temporary toilets, and designated emergency lanes for ambulances.

Police have issued 11 separate traffic and safety directives covering the entire Uppalam corridor to ensure uninterrupted movement for women, children, elderly persons, and hospital-bound citizens.

TVK General Secretary Bussy Anand has advised that pregnant women, infants, schoolchildren, senior citizens, and people with disabilities avoid attending the rally due to the restricted space and crowd-control protocols. Supporters have also been categorically told not to chase or tail Vijay’s vehicle during entry or exit.

The government has declared a holiday for Mathias Higher Secondary School and Bethany Seminary Primary School, both located near the venue, as a precautionary measure to prevent congestion and ensure safety.

Local officials said the event is being treated as a “controlled-mobility gathering,” with real-time monitoring at the police control room, anticipating that enthusiasm among TVK volunteers may still push attendance close to the permitted limit.