In a strategic effort to enhance security ahead of the upcoming Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra festivals, Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP), YB Khurania, visited the Shree Jagannath Mandir in Puri on May 12, to assess preparedness. The annual Rath Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad, requires thorough planning to ensure public safety and the smooth execution of the event.
During the security review, DGP Khurania chaired a high-level meeting at the office of the Puri Superintendent of Police (SP). The meeting was attended by senior police officials, including Additional DGPs Sanjay Kumar, Amitabh Thakur, Dayal Gangwar, Praveen Kumar, Anup Sahoo, Pinaki Mishra, and SP Vinit Agrawal. Key focus areas included crowd management, traffic control, and the maintenance of law and order during the festival.
ଡିଜିପି ଶ୍ରୀ ଯୋଗେଶ ବାହାଦୁର ଖୁରାନିଆ ପୁରୀରେ ଆଗାମୀ ସ୍ନାନ ଯାତ୍ରା ଓ ବିଶ୍ୱ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା, ଭିଡ଼ ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣ, ଟ୍ରାଫିକ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା, ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିବିଶେଷଙ୍କ ଯାତାୟାତ ଓ ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳିତ ଦର୍ଶନ ତଥା ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ରଥ ଟଣା ଆଦି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ବରିଷ୍ଠ ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ସହ ପୁଙ୍ଖାନୁପୁଙ୍ଖ ଭାବେ ଆଲୋଚନା… pic.twitter.com/BxLdaEaYGJ
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Following the meeting, the DGP conducted an on-site inspection of the security arrangements in and around the Mandir. He evaluated the deployment of CCTV surveillance systems, rapid response teams, and coordination frameworks involving district and local authorities. Emphasising the importance of public safety, DGP Khurania instructed all personnel to remain in a heightened state of alertness.
As a significant enhancement to Mandir security, the Odisha Police has deployed an advanced armoured vehicle, Vajra Yaan, at the Jagannath Mandir. Operated by specially trained commandos and equipped with modern weaponry, this vehicle will provide round-the-clock protection to the Mandir premises.
These heightened security measures come in response to recent geopolitical tensions, including the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India’s counter-operation, code-named Operation Sindoor. With the Rath Yatra approaching, final rehearsals for emergency response protocols are currently taking place.
Further strengthening the multi-layered security apparatus, a team from the National Security Guard (NSG) recently conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Mandir complex. NSG officials engaged in consultations with senior police personnel and the Shree Jagannath Mandir Administration (SJTA) to review and reinforce security strategies.
With multiple agencies involved and advanced resources deployed, the Odisha Police aims to ensure that this year’s Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully and securely.
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