Bhubaneswar: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania oversaw security arrangements on the second day of the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra, supervising the pulling of the Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath along the Badadanda (Grand Road) while seeking the deity’s blessings.
According to reports, as the Rath Yatra resumed on Saturday after a delay in chariot pulling on the first day, DGP Khurania held discussions with senior officials and reviewed law and order arrangements, focusing on crowd control, traffic management, and orderly chariot pulling.
His leadership has been pivotal in coordinating the unprecedented security measures for the festival, which include over 10,000 personnel from Odisha Police, Central Armed Police Forces, NSG, and other agencies, along with 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras monitoring the Grand Road.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Women Police earned special praise for their exemplary dedication and disciplined efforts in managing the massive influx of devotees, ensuring a smooth and organized Rath Yatra. Their role in crowd control and traffic management has been lauded as a model of effective policing during this global event.
The second day saw renewed enthusiasm among lakhs of devotees as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra continued their journey to the Gundicha Temple, following a delay on Friday when the Nandighosha chariot moved only a few meters due to Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot getting stuck.
Police personnel under the guidance of the DGP Khurania have reinforced public confidence in the administration’s efforts to uphold the sanctity and safety of this sacred festival on Saturday.
