With the annual Rath Yatra just days away, Odisha Police and Puri lifeguards have conducted comprehensive mock drills to prepare for the massive influx of devotees and tourists.
On Tuesday, police carried out a chariot‑pulling drill in Puri to test emergency response, crowd management, and inter‑agency coordination. Over 13,000 personnel are being deployed for the festival. Using three jeeps as symbolic representations of the chariots — Taladhwaja, Nandighosha, and Debadalana — officials rehearsed the step‑by‑step security deployment. Teams practised clearance, dragging, and cordon formations, with personnel briefed on flag signals and command structures. Senior officers, including the ADG and magistrates, supervised the exercise.
Meanwhile, lifeguards on Puri beach conducted a mock drill on Monday to prepare for emergency rescues during the festival. Members of the Lifeguard Sangha practised reaching drowning tourists, performing sea rescues, and administering first aid. They also pledged to raise awareness about rip currents and sea hazards among visitors.
Authorities emphasised that these drills are crucial to ensure coordination among agencies and a safe, hassle‑free Rath Yatra for the lakhs of devotees expected in Puri.
