Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will open a dedicated police station for the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai town on December 27 during his two-day visit. The station aims to keep the temple and its visitors safe, especially the large crowd of around 3 lakh devotees visiting daily, and more during weekends and festivals. Mr. Stalin's visit from December 26-27 will also include inaugurating a three-day mega agricultural exhibition, a new bus terminus, and a wholesale flower and vegetable market in the town. Currently, Tiruvannamalai town police cover both the temple and the 39 wards of the Tiruvannamalai Corporation. They also deploy personnel, including women constables, to manage pilgrim safety. There is already a small police outpost inside the temple with five staff. The new police station will start operating from the existing Tiruvannamalai town police station building. A permanent facility near the temple is planned once suitable land is identified. About 50 police personnel, including women officers, will staff the new station. It will handle crime, law and order, and traffic around the temple and residential areas. Similar dedicated temple police stations exist at famous locations like Palani, Rameshwaram, and Tiruchendur to manage crowds and prevent petty crimes targeting devotees. A senior police officer told The Hindu, “Initially, the new police station will function from the existing Tiruvannamalai town police station building, before it gets a permanent building near the temple. A land is being identified for the purpose.” Devotees say the new station will help control crowds better and reduce waiting times for darshan. It will also let visitors report thefts and small crimes more easily. The new temple police station is formed by dividing the old British-era town police station set up in the 1890s. It will include all four Mada streets around the temple and its nearby areas.