Cops asked to make security, crowd control arrangements for Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: The govt has asked state police to make comprehensive crowd control plan and security arrangements for ensuing Rath Yatra that will be celebrated in Puri on June 27. During a high-level meeting on Friday, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and DGP Y B Khurania, along with various department officials, discussed the importance of coordinating with servitors to ensure timely execution of rituals of the deities.
With an expected attendance surpassing 10 lakh devotees, the chief secretary emphasised the necessity of extensive CCTV monitoring. He noted that effective real-time surveillance and crowd control would be essential for the event's safe conduct.
Following previous year's arrangements, police will implement AI-powered CCTV cameras and drone surveillance for security operations during the festival on the Grand Road, facing the Jagannath temple.
The govt intends to position advanced facial recognition systems across 343 sites between Bhubaneswar and Puri. These include 32 locations along NH-316 between Uttara and Malatipatpur, 65 spots on the beach, 38 areas on Grand Road, and 55 points within Puri's streets, according to govt sources. As per the chief secretary's instructions, a committee will specify camera requirements.
Ahuja directed Puri's district administration and police to create a unified standard operating procedure (SOP) for the festival's organisation. He recommended establishing an integrated command control centre (ICCC) to facilitate departmental coordination.
DGP Khurania said massive preparations are underway. He emphasised comprehensive security measures for this globally significant event, considering the expected turnout of devotees and VIPs.
The police force assured strict preventive measures against stampedes during the chariot-pulling ceremony. The Rath Yatra on July 7, 2024 recorded one death and over 300 cases of fainting due to overcrowding amongst about 10 lakh attendees. A disorderly situation near Lord Balabhadra's chariot at 6.30 pm during chariot pulling led to multiple injuries. More than 6,500 police personnel, including 180 platoons of force were deployed during the festival last year.