Puri: In a high-level security meeting ahead of the grand chariot festival, Shri Prakash Mishra, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, conducted a comprehensive review of the security blueprint, traffic regulations, and overall preparedness for the upcoming Rath Yatra 2026. The meeting emphasized the absolute necessity of robust inter-agency coordination to manage the massive influx of millions of devotees expected to converge on the holy town.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration, who has been working around the clock to ensure seamless organization, joined senior police and civil officers during the review. The strategic discussions primarily focused on reinforcing crowd management protocols, optimizing traffic flow, establishing swift emergency response mechanisms, and maintaining total operational readiness.
Top police officers present at the review included ADG Modernisation Shri Saumyendra Priyadarshi, IG Police Central Range Dr. Satyajit Naik, DIG Eastern Range Shri Pinak Mishra, and Puri SP Shri Prateek Singh. The security apparatus will leverage advanced surveillance infrastructure, including extensive closed-circuit television networks and dedicated evacuation corridors, to ensure an incident-free, safe, and smooth experience for the pilgrims. Officials reiterated that no effort will be spared to guarantee flawless execution and absolute public safety during the multi-day mega event.
To implement this exhaustive blueprint, the state is mobilizing a massive security force consisting of 220 platoons of police force alongside specialized tactical units. A total of approximately 13,000 security personnel, including 15 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces comprising the CRPF, BSF, and the Rapid Action Force, will be stationed across the holy city. Additionally, National Security Guard Black Cat Commandos, NSG-trained Special Operations Group teams, and K-9 sniffer dog squads are being deployed to set up a rigid multi-layered security grid. The protective umbrella extends beyond land, with the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and the state marine police executing joint sea patrolling along the coastline, while anti-drone systems secure the airspace against unauthorized aerial movements.
The review also targeted critical infrastructure and civic issues to minimize public distress. To mitigate the severe risk of stampedes along the dense three-kilometer Grand Road, authorities are establishing 28 designated evacuation points and 70 police aid posts. The health department is tackling seasonal heatstroke risks by installing air-conditioned beds at community health centers, deploying 46 ambulances, and mapping out dedicated green corridors for uninterrupted medical transits.
Addressing potential monsoon challenges, the administration has identified 30 waterlogging-prone spots across Puri and stationed high-capacity drainage pumps to clear sudden rainwater accumulation. Furthermore, to combat public safety nuisances like pickpocketing and robberies, a targeted campaign has been launched across hotels and transport hubs, supplemented by the roll-out of dedicated Cyber Rath vehicles to protect incoming tourists from online fraud.