More than 1,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed round-the-clock for four days from Thursday in and around the Batu Caves Hindu temple area for the annual Thaipusam festival which falls on Saturday, Selangor deputy police chief A Thaiveegan said today.

He said Gombak district police chief ACP Abdul Rahim Abdullah had briefed him on the deployment which he added would ensure security during the festival period.

"Our personnel will ensure that Thaipusam will not be marred by any undesirable incident," he said.

More than 1.5 million people, including from abroad, are expected to throng Batu Caves for the Thaipusam celebration.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited Sentul-Batu Caves KTM commuter line, which was to be operational by Thaipusam, will only start in April.

"The service will begin in April because the final stage of work on it is still being carried out," said KTMB acting general manager Mohd Hidir Yusoff.

Two-fold increase in train service

KTMB will provide 208 special train services and 72 additional KTM Komuter trains from Friday to Sunday.

The two-way special train services will be available from Batu Caves and Sentul with 30-minute frequency.

"KTMB has also planned for 208 train services this time compared to only 98 last year, as more visitors are expected in view of the celebration falling on a weekend followed by a public holiday on Monday," said Mohd Hidir.

It is hoped that the additional train services will help reduce traffic congestion in the city.

From Friday to Sunday, 72 additional KTM Komuter services will be available around the clock for the Rawang-KL Sentral-Rawang, Seremban-Sentul-Seremban and Port Klang-Sentul-Port Klang lines.

"Usually the services end at midnight, but for Thaipusam, commuter services will be extended until 6am with 72 additional services at a 30-minute frequency," said Mohd Hidir.

- Bernama