Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presided over a crucial security meeting at the Special Circuit House in Puri to ensure robust arrangements for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, and Niladri Bije festivals of the Puri Rath Yatra.
With favourable weather expected to draw massive crowds, the meeting focused on enhancing safety measures, crowd management, and operational efficiency to make the festivals seamless and secure for devotees.
The Chief Minister emphasised three key aspects of security: safe chariot operations and devotee protection, effective traffic management, and strengthened fire safety measures. He directed the police administration to implement real-time, accurate advance crowd estimation to prepare for the influx of devotees, particularly during Sunabesha.
“Accurate crowd estimation is the first step to ensuring safety,” CM Majhi stated, underscoring the need for proactive planning to handle large gatherings during these significant events. To maintain order, the Chief Minister instructed strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for security. He advised limiting cordon passes to reduce overcrowding in restricted areas and consulting Maharana and Bhoi sevaks for streamlined chariot-pulling protocols.
Recognising the scale of the festivals, he ordered the deployment of additional police forces at critical locations to safeguard devotees. Special attention was given to traffic control to ensure smooth movement and to fire safety, with the Fire Services Department directed to coordinate with the police to secure the beach area, where thousands are expected to gather.
CM Majhi also highlighted the spiritual significance of the Rath Yatra, describing service during the festival as a “privilege, not just a duty.” He urged officials to work with dedication and coordination, emphasising vigilance at key locations like the Puri-Bhubaneswar road, railway station, bus stand, and temple premises to prevent any untoward incidents.
The meeting saw inputs from key officials, including Shrimandir Administrator Arabinda Padhee, who detailed arrangements for smooth rituals and devotee access to the Adapa Mandap. Additional DGP Saumendra Priyadarshi outlined traffic control measures, while other dignitaries, including Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and DGP Y.B. Khurania, contributed to discussions on comprehensive security strategies.
With the festivals approaching, the Odisha government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a safe and spiritually enriching experience for devotees. The Chief Minister’s directives reflect a commitment to balancing tradition with modern crowd management techniques, ensuring the Rath Yatra remains a global symbol of devotion and harmony.
Odisha CM Meets Puri Temple Servitors, Lauds Smooth Rath Yatra
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a special meeting with Shree Jagannath Temple servitors at Puri Circuit House today, commending their efforts in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra’s rituals.
Expressing gratitude, Majhi highlighted the servitors’ dedication, which facilitated the seamless execution of the festival’s ceremonies so far. With key events like Bahuda, Suna Besha, and Niladri Bije still ahead, he urged them to maintain their cooperation to enhance devotees’ experiences.
The servitors raised several demands, which the Chief Minister assured would be considered for appropriate action. Emphasizing an open-door policy, Majhi promised to address their concerns through further discussions. The servitors expressed delight, noting this was the first time a Chief Minister had held such an exclusive meeting to address their issues.
The meeting was attended by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Puri MP Dr. Sambit Patra, Chief Advisor Prakash Mishra, MLAs from Pipili, Satyabadi, and Brahmagiri, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra, Puri Collector Chanchal Rana, and SP Pinak Mishra, among others. The servitors pledged to ensure the upcoming rituals are conducted flawlessly.
