Chennai/Varanasi, Dec 5, 2025 — With the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam underway, Varanasi is witnessing heightened security measures to manage the expected influx of about one lakh visitors over the next two weeks. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Varanasi Commissionerate, Saravanan Thangamani, confirmed on Friday that additional police personnel, drones, and other security arrangements have been deployed to ensure safety during the event.

The Sangamam, inaugurated on December 2 at NaMo Ghat by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was attended by Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, L Murugan, and Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, among other dignitaries. The theme of this year’s edition is “Let us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, promoting the message that all Indian languages belong to a shared Bharatiya Bhasha heritage.

Enhanced Security Measures

In anticipation of the large crowd, authorities have deployed over 2,000 police personnel and three companies of armed forces across the venue. The security arrangement also includes National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) membersand additional staff to monitor waterways near NaMo Ghat.

A notable addition this year is the use of drones and speed motor boats for surveillance. Ten drones are patrolling the area, while four European-standard speed boats are deployed on the adjacent Ganga River. Each boat can cover the 8 km stretch along the river within seven minutes, ensuring rapid response in case of emergencies. Thangamani highlighted that the dedicated drone team would provide aerial monitoring to complement ground-level security.

Public Response and Event Highlights

The event is expected to draw 80,000 to 1 lakh visitors over 15 days, reflecting strong public interest. Thangamani noted that the Ganga Aarti performed at NaMo Ghat as part of the Sangamam program is expected to attract a particularly large audience, making stringent security measures essential.

The festival, which celebrates Tamil language and culture, aims to foster unity by emphasizing the importance of all Indian languages as part of the collective national heritage. Thangamani, originally from Tamil Nadu and also the nodal officer for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0, said this year’s edition has seen higher expectations and participationcompared to previous editions.

With comprehensive arrangements in place, including advanced technological tools and increased personnel deployment, the administration aims to ensure that visitors can participate safely while enjoying the cultural and educational aspects of the Sangamam.