The Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD) has rolled out extensive arrangements to ensure Lord Jagannath and His Siblings’ seamless conduct of the Rath Yatra (Car Festival).
With thousands of devotees expected to throng the city, the UPD is leaving no stone unturned to manage crowds, regulate traffic, and maintain public safety during this grand spiritual event.
Two meticulously crafted operational plans have been put in place to cater to distinct festival activities. The first focuses on the ISKCON Car Festival at Nayapalli, a major hub for devotees, while the second covers Ratha Yatra celebrations across various police station jurisdictions under Bhubaneswar UPD. Both plans emphasise strategic traffic management and secure arrangements for VIP movements.
A formidable deployment of 17 platoons and approximately 100 officers will be stationed across key locations to oversee crowd control and law enforcement. To ensure rapid response and visibility, PCR vans and motorcycle patrol teams will actively patrol vital stretches of the city. Additionally, a robust breakdown response mechanism has been established, with two heavy cranes and one small crane stationed under the Traffic Police Station to swiftly address vehicle breakdowns and minimise traffic disruptions.
The UPD has also issued a detailed traffic advisory to streamline vehicular movement, particularly around Nayapalli and other prominent festival sites. This advisory aims to reduce congestion and ensure safe passage for devotees and commuters alike.
Speaking on the arrangements, a senior official from Bhubaneswar UPD stated, “Our priority is to create a safe and spiritually enriching environment for all participants. We urge citizens to cooperate with police personnel and adhere to traffic guidelines to make this festival a grand success.”
The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, has issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth vehicular movement and pedestrian safety during the upcoming Ratha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, and Sunabesha celebrations at the ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar.
The events, expected to draw a large congregation of devotees, are scheduled for June 27, July 5, and July 6, 2025, respectively.
To manage the anticipated crowd and facilitate hassle-free movement, the police have imposed traffic restrictions and diversions under Section 28 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, 2003, and Regulations 19, 21, 36, and 37 of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate (Traffic and Public Order) Regulation, 2008.
Traffic Restrictions and Diversions
Ratha Yatra (June 27, 2025) and Bahuda Yatra (July 5, 2025):
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Starting at 3:00 PM, heavy vehicles coming from the Khordha side will be barred from using the service road toward Fire Station Square until the chariots pass CRP Square.
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No vehicles will be permitted on either side of the road from DAV School, Unit-VIII, to Mausimaa Mandir and CRP Square, or from CRP Square toward the ISKCON Temple during this period.
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The service road from Kasturba School and the Nayapalli underpass side toward CRP Square will also be closed to vehicular traffic until the chariots pass CRP Square.
Sunabesha (July 6, 2025):
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From 5:00 PM until the conclusion of Sunabesha Darshan, no vehicles will be allowed to ply from CRP Square toward the ISKCON Temple.
Emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and ambulance services, are exempt from these restrictions.
Public Advisory
The Commissionerate Police has urged the public to plan their travel routes in advance to avoid inconvenience. “We expect a significant turnout of devotees at the ISKCON Temple and along the procession routes. These regulations aim to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow,” said a spokesperson for the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate.
Devotees and residents are advised to cooperate with traffic personnel and follow designated routes. For real-time updates or additional information, the public can contact local authorities or refer to official announcements from the Commissionerate Police.
The ISKCON Temple’s Ratha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, and Sunabesha are significant cultural and religious events, attracting thousands of devotees annually. The police have also made provisions for parking arrangements to accommodate the influx of visitors, ensuring a safe and organized celebration.
