Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has made elaborate arrangements at the 12th-century shrine anticipating a huge rush of devotees to the pilgrim city on December 31 and New Year Day (January 1, 2025). The SJTA has put a restriction on the entry of the devotees through three gates of Puri Srimandira on these two days.
According to the SJTA, devotees will only be allowed to enter the Puri Jagannath Temple through the Singha Dwara (Lions Gate), the main gate of the temple, and can exit through all the other three gates – the Paschima Dwara, Uttara Dwara and Dakshina Dwara.
DIG Central Range Charan Singh Meena and Puri SP Vinit Agrawal on Sunday conducted a general briefing at the Reserved Police Ground to ensure a safe, peaceful and hassle-free traffic management on December 31 and New Year 2025 day.
The meeting decided to set up a barricade from the Market Chhaka to till the temple to control the crowd. The meeting also focused on the crowd management inside and outside the temple as well as on the sea beach. Besides, steps have been taken for the visitors to have a smooth and peaceful bath in the sea.
The meeting decided to post two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), 10 additional ASPs, 40 DSPs, 70 Inspectors, 220 ASIs and ASI-ranked officials along with 60 platoons of police force to maintain law and order and manage the huge rush of crowds to the pilgrim city.
Moreover, a huge number of lifeguards and firefighters will be stationed at the sea beach to provide security to the visitors. Likewise, senior police officers along with cops have been deployed at different temples, shrines and tourist locations of the district.
A hundred youth volunteers have been engaged to assist the police during the rush hour. They will assist in identifying locals and outsiders during crowds and de-crowding. On this occasion, Puri SP Mr. Agarwal said, “Those who are coming to Puri are our guests. Therefore, we will welcome this guest who comes to the shrine as they would appreciate it outside.”
