With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on Odisha’s coastal pilgrimage hubs for the sacred occasions of Panchuka, Kartika Purnima, and Anla Nabami, Odisha Police, Central Range, has significantly ramped up its security and crowd management apparatus.
Acting under the direct guidance of the Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, senior officials have rolled out a comprehensive blueprint to ensure peaceful and orderly religious celebrations.
Dr Satyajit Naik, IPS, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Cuttack, accompanied by Puri Superintendent of Police Shri Prateek Geeta Singh, IPS, officers of the Shree Mandir Suraksha Vahini (SMSV), and other senior police personnel, conducted an extensive on-ground inspection at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
During the review, the IGP meticulously evaluated key operational pillars, including queue management systems, strategic force deployment, traffic flow regulation, and round-the-clock law and order maintenance in and around the 12th-century shrine. Emphasising that devotee convenience remains paramount, Dr Naik directed officers to maintain seamless inter-departmental coordination and continuous monitoring to guarantee a safe, hassle-free darshan experience throughout the peak Panchuka days and Kartika Purnima.
Extending the preparedness drive beyond Puri town, IGP Dr Naik also visited the Sakhigopal Temple to inspect arrangements ahead of Anla Nabami and the highly anticipated Radha Pada Darshan—an annual ritual that draws massive crowds from across Odisha and neighbouring states. The assessment focused on access control, designated parking zones, traffic diversion plans, and close synergy with temple authorities to manage the heavy footfall without bottlenecks.
Issuing strict directives for heightened vigilance and active ground-level supervision, the IGP instructed deployed personnel to remain alert and ready to respond swiftly to any emergency. Through proactive policing and disciplined execution, Odisha Police, Central Range, aims to uphold both public safety and the sanctity of the ongoing Kartika celebrations.
