Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday reviewed preparations for the annual Rath Yatra at a high-level meeting at Lokseva Bhawan and directed officials to ensure seamless coordination, robust security and effective crowd management for the smooth conduct of the festival.
The CM stressed the safety of the chariots and devotees, effective crowd management and robust fire safety measures. He said the Rath Yatra should be conducted in a disciplined and well-organised manner under the supervision of skilled and experienced officers.
Majhi asked senior officials to maintain continuous information-sharing at every level to ensure timely implementation of decisions. He also directed them to prevent any communication gaps during the festival.
The CM also emphasised effective cordon management, the safety of women, surveillance of suspicious persons and those under the influence of intoxicants, proper traffic regulation, quality checks of food and drinking water, emergency evacuation plans and weather-based preparedness. He instructed officials to make the entire system foolproof.
Officials informed the meeting that 12,000 police and Central Armed Police Force personnel have been deployed for security arrangements. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy will also remain on alert, while 19 senior IPS officers have been assigned to oversee security during the Rath Yatra.
To strengthen surveillance, 473 CCTV cameras have been installed across Puri. In addition, 65 large LED screens will provide emergency information to devotees in Odia, Hindi, and English.
Authorities have also arranged 16 permanent mobile network towers, along with several temporary towers, to improve connectivity during the festival. A bulk messaging system has also been introduced this year to disseminate important information to devotees.
The meeting was informed that a help desk will be set up at the Gundicha Temple to facilitate darshan for differently-abled and elderly devotees. Several evacuation corridors have also been created for crowd management, while an integrated command and control centre has been established to monitor all security operations.
An officer has been assigned to every major responsibility related to the Rath Yatra. Hi-mast lights have been installed at parking areas and along the Badadanda (Grand Road) to improve visibility.
For sanitation, 1,700 bio-toilets have been arranged, with one volunteer deployed for every five toilets to ensure regular cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, eight temporary hospitals have been set up to provide immediate medical assistance to devotees.
The meeting was also informed that more than 300 trains are expected to operate to Puri during this year’s Rath Yatra. The CM also directed officials to ensure proper passenger information, efficient crowd management and smooth coordination, keeping train schedules and the expected influx of devotees in mind.
