In a significant move to bolster security at the sacred Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Odisha government is preparing to introduce anti-drone technology to prevent unauthorized drone activity over the temple premises.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed the media that discussions have already been held between the Law Department and the State Police Department regarding the deployment of this advanced security system.
“If any drone is flown over the Shree Jagannath Temple after the installation of this technology, it will be immediately intercepted and brought down,” said Minister Harichandan.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed that discussions are in advanced stages, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has already been drafted. The goal is to protect the temple from aerial threats without compromising the safety of the general public or devotees.
“We have already prepared an SOP. Discussions have taken place, and if required, anti-drone technology will be deployed. We will urge the Odisha Police to take the necessary steps,” Harichandan said.
He further stated that the Jagannath Temple Administration is ready to fund the project to ensure that religious sanctity and security are upheld.
“The anti-drone system will help us prevent drones from operating within a specified radius. If any drone is detected, the system will safely disable it,” he added.
The State Government will provide financial assistance to various temples coming under the Endowment Commissioner to support construction of chariot and conduct of Rath Yatra, informed Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan
The Shree Jagannath Temple is one of India’s holiest pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of devotees and tourists annually. With the increasing availability and misuse of drones in sensitive zones across the country, authorities see this move as both preventive and proactive.
Security experts and devotees have welcomed the initiative, calling it a necessary step in modernizing temple security. In recent years, drone sightings near sensitive religious, political, and military locations have raised concerns about surveillance, smuggling, and potential attacks.
The move aligns with a national trend where major religious and heritage sites—such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi—have introduced aerial surveillance restrictions and drone-jamming systems. Odisha’s decision marks a continued effort to ensure technological integration in cultural preservation and security management.
As the government finalizes the logistics, the anti-drone system is expected to be rolled out in phases, beginning with pilot tests around key temple zones, followed by full-scale deployment.
The announcement has been largely welcomed by temple authorities and devotees who view the move as a necessary step to protect the sanctity and safety of the temple. Authorities are expected to finalize vendors and begin the installation process in coordination with technical experts and security agencies in the coming months.
The Odisha government’s proactive approach signifies a growing focus on technological intervention for heritage security, ensuring both faith and safety go hand in hand.
