Odisha Development Commissioner and senior IAS officer Anu Garg has initiated a 30-day high-level inquiry into the devastating stampede that occurred during the sacred Rath Yatra in Puri, which claimed three lives and left over 50 devotees injured.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that Garg will personally visit Puri to evaluate the situation, identify administrative lapses, and ensure accountability. Her findings are to be submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi within the deadline.
The incident has led to sweeping administrative changes, including the removal of the Puri Collector and SP, and suspensions of several senior officials. These measures underscore the government’s resolve to prevent similar tragedies during upcoming large-scale religious congregations such as Bahuda Jatra and Suna Besa.
Sources indicate that Garg will engage with on-ground police forces, local administration, servitor communities, and the Jagannath Temple administration. Special attention will be paid to crowd control strategies, emergency response systems, and whether preventive measures outlined before the festival were adequately implemented.
The Rath Yatra, known globally for its scale and devotion, witnessed a surge in footfall this year, raising concerns about the state’s preparedness for managing massive pilgrimages.
This urgent probe is seen as a critical step toward restoring public trust and ensuring that faith never again becomes a casualty of mismanagement.
