Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, Puri Police on Tuesday conducted a mega mock drill at Puri Railway Station and several other important locations to assess security preparedness and strengthen the emergency response mechanism amid the expected arrival of lakhs of devotees.
The large-scale exercise was conducted to evaluate the coordination among various security and emergency response agencies and ensure a prompt response to any possible security threat during the grand festival scheduled on July 16.
The mock drill involved multiple agencies, including the Special Tactical Unit (STU), bomb disposal squads, dog squads, fire services personnel, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), medical teams and district police.
Addressing the media, Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh said ensuring the safety of devotees remains the top priority of the administration.
“Security is our first priority. We are focusing on providing better facilities and ensuring the safety of people. Through this mock drill, we are creating different emergency situations to assess how effectively our teams can respond and protect people during critical situations,” Singh said.
He said the exercise was aimed at analysing the real-time response of different teams and improving coordination among various departments.
“During the drill, we are observing the live response, checking the response time and identifying areas where improvements are required. The Special Tactical Unit is a trained force capable of handling critical situations, while other teams, including bomb disposal squads, dog squads, fire services, ODRAF, medical teams and district police, are also participating,” the SP added.
With a massive gathering expected during the Rath Yatra, police have also made arrangements for public assistance and quick grievance redressal. Singh said devotees can contact the police by dialling 112 in case of any emergency.
He further informed that around 90 help desks-cum-information centres are being set up at different locations in Puri to assist visitors during the festival. These centres will provide information and help devotees report any issues.
On the overall security preparations for Rath Yatra, Singh said the planning process has been underway since January 2026. The first preparatory meeting was held in January under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, followed by regular review meetings at different levels.
“Preparations are now in the final stage. This mock drill is another important step towards strengthening our arrangements and ensuring a safe and smooth Rath Yatra,” the Puri SP said.
