The pilgrim town of Puri, home to Lord Jagannath, is facing mounting traffic and crowd management issues — not just during grand occasions like Rath Yatra, Sunabesha, or Niladri Bije, but increasingly on regular days as well.
With the steady rise in pilgrims and tourists throughout the year, Puri’s existing infrastructure is proving inadequate. The Grand Road (Bada Danda), the city’s spiritual and logistical artery, frequently turns into a bottleneck as vehicles choke its narrow stretches, raising serious concerns among citizens, temple servitors, and urban planners alike.
Despite attempts at streamlining traffic, the lack of smart planning, wider access points, and external parking zones has left the city vulnerable to chaos, especially during peak hours or festivals. The recent Sunabesha event, for instance, saw an unprecedented influx of over 50,000 vehicles within 8–10 hours — pushing the city’s capacity to its limits.
Senior police officer ADG Dayal Gangwar, who led the Rath Yatra traffic operations, acknowledged the difficulty:
“We managed over 25,000 four-wheelers and an equal number of two-wheelers on Sunabesha day alone. The pressure was massive, especially because incoming traffic far outweighed the outgoing.”
A significant choke point was observed at Malatipatpur and Batagaon, where a funnelling effect forced two-lane highway traffic into a single lane, creating heavy congestion and delays.
Experts say more than just temporary fixes are needed. Road safety expert Subrat Nanda suggested relocating parking to outer Puri, with shuttle services ferrying devotees into the city.
“Parking outside the town and regulated public transport can greatly ease congestion,” he emphasized.
Senior servitor Damodar Pradhani also raised alarm about the city’s readiness:
“Even during less-hyped rituals like Adhara Pana, crowd turnout has been massive. A dedicated flyover and permanent crowd control infrastructure must be prioritized to protect devotees and preserve sanctity.”
With Niladri Bije approaching and large crowds expected again, the situation underscores the urgent need for a sustainable, year-round traffic and crowd management blueprint. Local authorities and the state government are now being urged to respond with both vision and velocity to ensure that Puri’s spiritual vibrance does not get drowned in logistical failure.
