Chennai police rain work

Chennai cops work overtime during rains to clear traffic chaos, drains & more

As the rains lashed Chennai, the role of Greater Chennai city police personnel is not just limited to clearing traffic chaos and maintaining law and order, but also to keep roads free of water-logging and damage.

Hundreds of policemen were found in various parts of the city, either clearing traffic or stagnant water on arterial roads.

"Our men did not sleep as rain continued to lash the city. We wanted to ensure that traffic moved slowly and there was no flooding," said a senior police officer.

T Veerakumar, law and order inspector, Vepery, saw water-logging on road due to drainage blocks near Gandhi Irwin Bridge at Egmore. He wasted no time, kneeled on the pavement and cleared the block with bare hands.

Greater Chennai city police commissioner A K Viswanathan visited Veerakumar at Vepery station, hailed him for his timely act and presented him a gift.

Viswanathan is also actively inspecting the road conditions in the city and directing police officials to ensure that there are no traffic jams.

Many citizens and celebrities are all praise for police. Kamal Haasan lauded the police department for relief work in areas inundated in heavy rains, saying "good citizens shine with or without uniform".

"Thanks for going beyond the call of your duty. Good citizens shine with or without uniform. More similar Thamizhans (Tamils) should report to duty", he said in a tweet.