Bhubaneswar: A preliminary preparation meeting for the upcoming Puri Rath Yatra 2025 of Lord Jagannath was held today at the Lok Seva Bhavan conference hall. The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
According to an official press release, the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Satyabrata Sahu, Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania, Puri Collector, Puri Superintendent of Police, and other senior officials from the State Police Administration.
The meeting focused on crowd management, congestion control, and security arrangements for the grand festival, which attracts millions of devotees and tourists. Given Puri’s status as a major religious and tourist destination, large crowds are expected at Jagannath Temple, Puri Grand Road, Puri Beach, and especially at Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra.
To address these challenges, the Police Administration has proposed installing CCTV cameras at 343 key locations, covering roads leading to Puri, city entry points, Grand Road, and Puri Beach.
The surveillance system will enable real-time monitoring for traffic management, crime prevention, and law enforcement.
Specific locations proposed for CCTV installation include Uttara Chhak to Malatipatpur, Puri Grid Station to Konark, Balighai to Nimapada, Mangalaghat to Satapada, Malatipatpur to Mangalaghat, Mangalaghat to Grand Road, Grand Road to the seashore, parking areas, bus stands, railway stations, and inner lanes of Puri city.
Chief Secretary Ahuja emphasized the need for a robust infrastructure and technical expertise to ensure the CCTV system meets national security standards. He directed the Police Administration and the Puri District Collector to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Rath Yatra management.
During the meeting, it was decided that an Integrated Command and Control Center will be operational during Rath Yatra 2025, where officials from multiple departments will coordinate efforts in safety, crime control, crowd management, and emergency response.
The Puri Collector and Superintendent of Police presented insights from Rath Yatra 2024, highlighting past crowd management strategies and challenges. Senior officials also shared recommendations for better execution in 2025.
The meeting stressed the importance of an integrated public address system to ensure smooth communication during the festival.
Key dates for Puri Rath Yatra 2025 include Debasnan Purnima on June 11, Gundicha Yatra on June 27, Bahuda Yatra on July 5, and Suna Besha on July 6.
Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination from Chandan Yatra to Niladri Bije to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
DGP Khurania noted that devotional fervor is increasing, and a larger crowd is expected in 2025. He stressed the need for early and adequate preparations to manage the surge in pilgrims.
The meeting also discussed vehicle movement and parking management to prevent traffic congestion during the festival.
