Bhubaneswar, July 14 (APAC Media): Odisha has rolled out a massive security and crowd management plan for the Puri Rath Yatra 2026.
The nine day festival will begin on July 16. Around 30 lakh devotees from India and abroad are expected to visit Puri.
The administration has strengthened surveillance, emergency response and crowd movement arrangements ahead of the massive religious gathering.
12,000 Police Personnel Deployed in Puri
Nearly 12,000 police personnel, including 19 senior IPS officers, have been deployed for the Puri Rath Yatra 2026.
More than 100 senior administrative officers will also oversee arrangements during the festival.
Central armed forces have been stationed at key locations. Personnel from the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard will also assist authorities with safety measures.
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଘୋଷଯାତ୍ରାକୁ ଆଉ ମାତ୍ର ତିନି ଦିନ…
ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ରର ବଡ଼ଦାଣ୍ଡ ଆଜି ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ପ୍ରତୀକ୍ଷାର ଅସୁମାରୀ ଆବେଗରେ ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ। ଜଗତର ନାଥ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ରଥାରୂଢ଼ ହୋଇ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶନ ଦେବା ପାଇଁ ବଡ଼ଦାଣ୍ଡକୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଆସିବେ।
ଆସନ୍ତୁ, ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳାର ସହ ଘୋଷଯାତ୍ରାକୁ ପାଳନ କରି… pic.twitter.com/YIDs4Q9PME
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 13, 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed departments to maintain close coordination and uninterrupted communication throughout the festival.
The security plan follows last year’s crowd-related incident near the Gundicha Temple, which claimed three lives.
500 CCTV Cameras to Track Crowds
The Odisha government has placed a strong focus on real time crowd monitoring.
Nearly 500 CCTV cameras will monitor crowd density and key locations across Puri.
Multiple evacuation corridors have also been created along the festival route.
The arrangements will allow security teams to identify crowd pressure and respond quickly to emergencies.
Authorities have also prepared a detailed operational plan to ensure religious rituals are conducted on schedule.
Eight Temporary Hospitals Set Up
Medical preparedness has been strengthened for the Puri Rath Yatra 2026.
The administration has established eight temporary hospitals with medical teams to provide immediate healthcare support.
Special arrangements have also been made for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.
The measures aim to ensure safer and easier movement during the festival.
1,700 Bio-Toilets and 65 LED Screens Installed
Civic facilities have been expanded to manage the expected influx of devotees.
Around 1,700 bio-toilets have been installed across Puri. Volunteers will assist with cleanliness and sanitation.
Authorities have also installed 65 LED screens to provide live updates, public announcements and important information.
Temporary mobile towers have been set up to improve network connectivity during the festival.
Rath Yatra to Begin on July 16
During the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath will travel with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
The deities will travel on their grand chariots for the nearly three-kilometre journey.
They will stay at the Gundicha Temple before returning during the Bahuda Yatra on July 24.
With tighter security, real-time surveillance and expanded public facilities, Odisha is preparing to manage one of India’s largest religious gatherings during the Puri Rath Yatra 2026.
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