Kataka: In a bid to enhance the safety of Kanwariyas undertaking the annual pilgrimage during the holy month of Shravan, the Bhubaneswar-Kataka Commissionerate Police on Sunday distributed reflective jackets and tapes to devotees collecting holy water from the Mahanadi Ghat.
The initiative aims to improve the visibility of pilgrims travelling at night and reduce the risk of road accidents.
Commissioner of Police Dr Suresh Dev Datta Singh, who reviewed the arrangements at the Mahanadi Ghat, said elaborate security and traffic measures have been put in place to ensure the smooth and safe movement of devotees heading to various Shiva temples, including the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
Strong barricades have been erected at the ghat to regulate the movement of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding. Around eight platoons of police personnel have been deployed by the Kataka Urban Police District (UPD), while teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been stationed to respond to any emergency.
The police have also set up washroom facilities for devotees and established a 24-hour control room to monitor the pilgrimage. Officials have been deployed in three shifts to ensure round-the-clock surveillance and coordination.
Appealing to Kanwariyas to cooperate with the administration, Singh urged them to walk in a single file, avoid occupying the entire road, and strictly follow traffic advisories. He also requested motorists to drive cautiously and refrain from overspeeding on routes used by the pilgrims.
“Reflective jackets and tapes are being distributed to improve the visibility of Kanwariyas during night travel. Similar measures were taken last year, and they proved effective in enhancing road safety,” the Commissioner of Police said.
Expressing confidence in the arrangements, Singh said the police are working to ensure that this year’s Kanwar Yatra is conducted peacefully and concludes without any untoward incidents.
