Puri: The police department carried out a mock drill for chariot pulling on Tuesday to ensure smooth management of the annual Rath Yatra.
The drill was conducted to familiarize the force with the process of pulling the three chariots, crowd management arrangements, and proper handling of the security cordon.
For the exercise, three jeeps were used as symbolic representations of the three chariots — Taladhwaja, Nandighosha and Debadalana. The vehicles were pulled to replicate the actual Rath pulling process.
During the drill, officials demonstrated the step-by-step security deployment: a clearance team will move ahead of the chariots, followed by a dragging team, and then the cordon team. Security personnel will be positioned around the chariots in phases to maintain order.
The mock drill is being supervised by police officers in charge of the Rath, along with the ADG and magistrates. Personnel were also briefed on how to manage Rath pulling based on commands and flag signals given from atop the chariots.
Authorities said such drills are being conducted to ensure coordination among different teams and a hassle-free Rath Yatra for the lakhs of devotees expected in Puri.
