Over 10k cops to be deployed for casualty-free Rath Yatra in Puri
Bhubaneswar: More than 10,000 police personnel, including 220 platoons of forces, are set to be deployed to ensure an incident-free Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16. The decision comes in the wake of the govt’s resolve to conduct the annual chariot festival with zero casualties. According to a police s
By Debabrata Mohapatra
Bhubaneswar: More than 10,000 police personnel, including 220 platoons of forces, are set to be deployed to ensure an incident-free Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16.
The decision comes in the wake of the govt’s resolve to conduct the annual chariot festival with zero casualties.
According to a police source, last year around 9,000 police personnel and 203 platoons had been deployed.During a review meeting on Rath Yatra preparations by law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Tuesday in Puri, senior IPS officer Saumendra Priyadarshi, in-charge of overall police arrangements, said this year’s security presence will be higher.“Over 10,000 personnel, including state police, central armed forces and the National Security Guard, will be on duty.
Each vertical — from temple security to traffic, parking, railway, coastal safety and safety of devotees, VIPs and chariots — will be supervised by IPS officers to ensure seamless coordination,” Priyadarshi said.Law minister Harichandan said the administration is fully prepared. “By the blessings of the deities, we hope this year’s Rath Yatra will be seamless, disciplined and casualty-free.
Our focus is on ensuring devotees return with a safe and spiritual experience,” Harichandan said.In the wake of last year’s June 29 stampede — on the third day of the festival — that led to the death of three devotees outside Gundicha Temple, the govt directed Odisha police to avoid skeletal deployment and ensure continuous presence.Priyadarshi said at least 475 CCTV cameras will be installed across Puri, covering entry and exit points from Bhubaneswar, Konark and Brahmagiri. “While the permanent system may not be ready before the festival, a foolproof temporary arrangement is in place,” he said.The meeting, attended by officers from multiple departments, servitors, citizens and members of the Rath Yatra coordination committee, reviewed progress on chariot construction, road and embankment repairs, uninterrupted power supply, health services, traffic blockades and communication systems.
Harichandan urged servitors to cooperate in ensuring rituals are performed peacefully and on time. “We seek their support so that the Lord’s rituals proceed without hindrance,” he said.Special attention is being paid to sanitation, drinking water, toilets, accommodation, crowd control, orderly darshan, availability of Mahaprasad at fair prices, and smooth bus and train travel.
Harichandan said cleanliness, quality food, CCTV coverage and adequate parking are being prioritised.Senior officials assured that health services, sanitation and traffic management are being reinforced, while citizens’ cooperation was sought to uphold the sanctity of the festival.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhubaneswar | Silver Rate in Bhubaneswar | Bank Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Public Holidays in Bhubaneswar | Petrol Price in Bhubaneswar | Diesel Price in Bhubaneswar | CNG Price in Bhubaneswar | LPG Price in BhubaneswarStay updated with the latest Bhubaneswar news.
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