With lakhs of devotees expected to flock to Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath on the occasion of the New Year 2026, the Odisha Police has geared up for extensive security and crowd management measures.
A high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania was held today at the DGP’s camp office in Bhubaneswar to ensure seamless darshan, safety, and orderly celebrations.
Anticipating a massive influx of pilgrims, the DGP emphasised widespread security arrangements across the holy city. Key directives include orderly darshan within the Shree Jagannath Temple premises, effective crowd control, smooth traffic and parking management, enhanced patrolling along the sea beach, installation of CCTV cameras at important intersections, and strict checking at hotels and lodges.
DGP Khurania instructed senior officers to maintain proper coordination, exhibit courteous behaviour towards devotees, and remain prepared for any unforeseen situations. He specifically directed the Puri Superintendent of Police to implement all necessary steps to create a safe, disciplined, and peaceful environment during the New Year festivities.
The meeting saw the presence of several senior officials, including Director (Intelligence) R.P. Koche, Additional DGP (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeev Panda, Additional DGP (Railways and Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, Additional DGP (Modernisation) Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S. Devadatta Singh, Additional DGP (Armed) Rajesh Kumar, DIG (Central Range) Satyajit Naik, and DCP Bhubaneswar Jagmohan Meena, among others.
Virtually attending were DIG (Eastern Range) Pinak Mishra, Puri SP Prateek Singh, and Rural Cuttack SP Vinit Agrawal.
With Puri traditionally witnessing huge crowds during the New Year, these proactive measures aim to prevent any disruptions and facilitate a devotional experience for visitors from across the country.
