Bhubaneswar: In preparation for the much-awaited Rath Yatra of Puri scheduled for June 27, 2025, a high-level meeting was convened today at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack.
The meeting was chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, who underscored the importance of comprehensive security and effective management to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly and safely.
The Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. DGP Khurania urged senior police officials to adopt a proactive approach and maintain constant vigilance throughout the event to avoid any untoward incidents.
The meeting also reviewed the schedule of key rituals associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple, including;
- Debasnana Purnima on June 11
- Naba Jaubana Darshan on June 26
- Rath Yatra on June 27
- Hera Panchami on July 1
- Sandhya Darshan on July 4
- Bahuda Yatra on July 5
- Suna Besha on July 6
- Adhara Pana on July 7
- Niladri Bije on July 8
These festivities are expected to draw large crowds, necessitating meticulous planning and security arrangements.
Officials discussed a wide range of security measures, including the deployment of senior police officers across critical locations, installation of CCTV cameras at strategic points, and traffic management plans involving road dividers, delineators, and designated parking zones. The police also plan to conduct regular beach patrolling and establish temporary outposts to maintain order.
Coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) was highlighted as a priority, ensuring smooth handling of crowds at major railway stations like Puri, Bhubaneswar, Khordha, and Jatni. The DGP stressed the importance of working closely with the RPF for seamless security coverage.
Additional security initiatives discussed include special drives against criminals, inspections of hotels and lodges, deployment of the K-9 squad, and measures to prevent stampedes. Provisions for a special helipad for VIPs, accommodation facilities for police personnel, barricading, orderly vehicle movement, and emergency response mechanisms were also reviewed.
The meeting was attended by key police officials such as Director (Intelligence) R.P. Koche, Additional Director Generals of Police S.K. Priyadarshi, ADG (Railways & Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, ADG (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, ADG (Communication) Dayal Gangwar, ADG (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, IG (Central Range) S. Praveen Kumar, IG (Operations) Dr. Deepak Kumar, IG (BPSPA) Anup Kumar Sahoo, IG (Crime Branch) Dr. Sarthak Sarangi, DIG (Provisioning) Charan Singh Meena, DIG (SIW) Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh, DIG (STF) Pinak Mishra, SP (Railways) Vivekanand Sharma, and SP (Puri) Vinit Agrawal, along with other senior police officials.
DGP Khurania concluded the meeting with a firm directive to maintain high alertness and close coordination with the district administration to ensure that the Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully, offering devotees a safe and orderly experience.
