Odisha Police has intensified preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, scheduled for July 16 in Puri.
A high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania was held at the Town Hall premises earlier today to ensure flawless and disciplined management of the grand festival.
DGP Khurania affirmed that the police administration is fully alert and committed to conducting the Rath Yatra smoothly. With lakhs of devotees expected to arrive, eight new parking zones have been created across the city to ease congestion. He emphasised prioritising devotees’ safety and service quality while urging officers to maintain patience and courtesy throughout the event.
Senior officials outlined extensive arrangements for crowd control, traffic management, and emergency response. Cameras have been installed at major junctions, including Uttara Chhak and Puri–Konark Road, to assist in real-time monitoring.
Additional DGP (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, IG (Crime Branch) Dr. Sarthak Sadangi, IG (Operations) Dr. Deepak Kumar, and IG (Training) Anup Kumar Sahu were among the senior officers present. ADGP (Modernisation) Soumendra Priyadarshi instructed personnel to uphold service ethics, remain at their duty spots, and display courteous behaviour even under adverse weather conditions.
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur stressed that traffic regulation, VIP movement, and public safety are interlinked, calling for coordinated efforts to ensure every devotee’s safe and satisfying experience.
The meeting concluded with IG (Central Range) Dr. Satyajit Nayak offering a vote of thanks, reinforcing Odisha Police’s resolve to deliver a disciplined and incident-free Rath Yatra 2026.
