The Odisha government today held a preliminary preparation meeting for the upcoming Puri Rath Yatra 2025 of Lord Jagannath.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Satyabrata Sahu, Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania, Puri Collector, and Puri Superintendent of Police, at the Lok Seva Bhavan conference hall.
The focus of the meeting was on crowd management, congestion control, and security arrangements for the grand festival, which attracts millions of devotees and tourists. In light of Puri’s status as a major religious and tourist destination, large crowds are expected at Jagannath Temple, Puri Grand Road, Puri Beach, and especially Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra.
To address these challenges, the Police Administration has proposed the installation of CCTV cameras at 343 key locations. These locations include roads leading to Puri, city entry points, Grand Road, and Puri Beach. The surveillance system aims to enable real-time monitoring for traffic management, crime prevention, and law enforcement.
Specific locations proposed for CCTV installation include Uttara Chhak to Malatipatpur, Puri Grid Station to Konark, Balighai to Nimapada, Mangalaghat to Satapada, Malatipatpur to Mangalaghat, Mangalaghat to Grand Road, Grand Road to the seashore, parking areas, bus stands, railway stations, and inner lanes of Puri city. Chief Secretary Ahuja emphasized the need for robust infrastructure and technical expertise to ensure the CCTV system meets national security standards.
An Integrated Command and Control Center will be operational during Rath Yatra 2025, coordinating efforts in safety, crime control, crowd management, and emergency response. The Puri Collector and Superintendent of Police shared insights from Rath Yatra 2024, highlighting past crowd management strategies and challenges, while senior officials provided recommendations for better execution in 2025.
Key dates for Puri Rath Yatra 2025 include Debasnan Purnima on June 11, Gundicha Yatra on June 27, Bahuda Yatra on July 5, and Suna Besha on July 6. Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination from Chandan Yatra to Niladri Bije to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
DGP Khurania noted the increasing devotional fervor and the anticipated larger crowd in 2025, emphasizing the necessity for early and adequate preparations to manage the surge in pilgrims. The meeting also discussed vehicle movement and parking management to prevent traffic congestion during the festival.
