Bhubaneswar: With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on Puri for darshan of Lord Shree Jagannath during the English New Year 2026, the Odisha Police on Tuesday intensified preparations to ensure safety, security and smooth movement of pilgrims.
A high-level review meeting in this regard was held at the DGP’s Camp Office in Bhubaneswar under the chairmanship of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania.
The meeting focused on comprehensive security arrangements in Puri city, orderly darshan of devotees within the Shree Jagannath Temple, temple security, traffic regulation and overall crowd management. Emphasising the heavy footfall anticipated during the New Year period, the DGP directed senior police officers to put in place extensive and effective security measures across the pilgrim town.
Khurania instructed officials to ensure disciplined and orderly darshan inside the temple premises through proper crowd control mechanisms. He also stressed efficient traffic and parking management to prevent congestion in and around the city, particularly along major entry points and temple access roads. Patrolling along the sea beach, installation of CCTV cameras at important junctions, and strict checking at hotels and lodges were also highlighted as key focus areas.
The DGP further asked officers to work in close coordination at all levels, maintain a courteous and helpful attitude towards devotees, and remain fully prepared to respond swiftly to any untoward or emergency situation. He specifically directed the Superintendent of Police, Puri, to take all necessary steps from the police side to ensure a safe, orderly and peaceful environment in the holy city during the New Year celebrations.
Several senior police officers attended the meeting, including Director (Intelligence) R. P. Koche, Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operation) Sanjeeb Panda, ADGP (Railway & Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, ADGP (Modernisation) Saumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, ADGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissioner S. Devadatta Singh, ADGP (Armed) Rajesh Kumar and DIG (Central Range) Satyajit Naik.
Through virtual mode, DIG (Eastern Range) Pinak Mishra, Puri SP Prateek Singh, Cuttack (Rural) SP Vineet Agrawal and other senior officers also participated in the review meeting.
