With the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri just weeks away, the Odisha Transport Department is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a safe, comfortable, and hassle-free experience for the massive influx of devotees.
A high-level coordination meeting chaired by the Transport Commissioner is being held today to finalise a comprehensive action plan covering every aspect of transportation, passenger welfare, and road safety.
More than 10 lakh devotees are expected to converge on the holy city during the Shree Gundicha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, and Sunabesha. To meet this unprecedented demand, the department will issue Temporary Permits (TP) for a large number of stage carriage buses, ensuring seamless movement during the peak festival days.
Passenger comfort and health have been given top priority. All buses will mandatorily carry First-Aid Kits, with 1,200 kits set to be distributed through various RTOs at government expense from the ORSS fund. Buses will also stock drinking water and ORS packets. Major bus terminals and stops will feature enhanced drinking water arrangements for pilgrims.
A 24×7 Information Centre and Control Room will function at Puri under the Puri RTO, complete with a dedicated helpline. A helpdesk will operate at Talabania, while the State Transport Authority’s toll-free number will provide round-the-clock assistance. Devotees can also avail comfortable rest sheds at Talabania (with drinking water, electricity, and free cooked food) and similar facilities at Malatipatpur. Shuttle services will be introduced from both locations to help outstation buses and pilgrims reach their destinations smoothly.
Strict fare regulation will be enforced throughout the festival. Bus operators must display fare charts inside vehicles, and any instance of overcharging will attract stringent action under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Bus Owners’ Association has been asked to form a committee to prevent unhealthy competition among operators. The Transport Department will maintain close vigil, including on auto-rickshaw fares in Puri, to protect devotees from exploitation.
Road safety will be strengthened through multiple layers of enforcement. Special Enforcement Squads will be deployed across ten districts — Ganjam, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, Chandikhol, Dhenkanal, Angul, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar — to check Motor Vehicles Act violations. Speed monitoring will be intensified on NH-316 and NH-16 using interceptor vehicles and the Intelligent Enforcement Management System (IEMS), which will enable real-time detection and e-challans.
In case of emergencies, adequate numbers of cranes and ambulances will be stationed along the Bhubaneswar-Puri highway with seamless coordination between the Police and Health departments. Accident victims will receive immediate treatment under the PM-Rahat scheme. Vehicle manufacturers and dealers have been requested to set up breakdown assistance camps at key points on the Bhubaneswar-Puri and Puri-Konark routes.
Buses will display road safety messages along with driver contact numbers, allowing passengers to directly share feedback or complaints. Traffic management will see dedicated squads deployed at critical junctions in Bhubaneswar (Hi-Tech Chowk, Palasuni, Kalpana, Ravi Talkies, and Sai Mandir Chowk) and along all routes leading to Puri. Real-time data from IEMS will be monitored at the Command and Control Centre, while NHAI will increase highway patrolling on the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and Cuttack-Puri stretches. Traffic restrictions and guidelines will be widely publicised through social media, FM radio, and newspapers.
These proactive and people-centric measures reflect the Odisha government’s strong commitment to the safety and spiritual experience of every devotee. The meeting will also take up any additional urgent issues as required.
With these meticulous preparations, Rath Yatra 2026 is poised to be one of the most organised and secure editions yet — allowing millions of pilgrims to immerse themselves in the divine celebrations with complete peace of mind.
