Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting in Puri to assess the administrative and logistical arrangements for the upcoming Rath Yatra 2025, one of the most revered festivals in Odisha and around the world.
The meeting, held at the Puri Municipality Town Hall, included key ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior bureaucrats, and temple officials. The Chief Minister confirmed that the state administration is fully prepared to ensure the smooth, safe, and orderly conduct of the festival.
Emphasis on an Incident-Free, Spiritually Enriching Festival
CM Majhi emphasised the importance of ensuring an incident-free Rath Yatra, instructing all departments to coordinate closely to guarantee the safety, convenience, and spiritual experience of the millions of devotees expected to attend. He directed that police deployment, traffic control, fire safety, and other support systems be executed with precision.
ବିଶ୍ୱ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଆମ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଗୌରବମୟ ପରିଚୟ। କୋଟି କୋଟି ଭକ୍ତଙ୍କ ଭାବାବେଗ ଏଥିରେ ଜଡ଼ିତ । ତେଣୁ, ଏହାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା କେବଳ ଏକ ସରକାରୀ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ନୁହେଁ, ବରଂ ଏକ ପବିତ୍ର କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ। ଆଜି ପୁରୀ ପୌରସଂସ୍ଥା ଟାଉନ ହଲଠାରେ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ପରିଚାଳନା ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ସମୀକ୍ଷା କରି ସମସ୍ତ ବିଭାଗର ଅଧିକାରୀ,… pic.twitter.com/fXQl1L29ys
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 22, 2025
“Devotees should return home with a divine and spiritual experience. Every effort must be made to ensure safety, cleanliness, and smooth movement,” the CM stated, calling for zero tolerance towards any negligence.
Health and Sanitation Under Scrutiny
In light of recent diarrhoea outbreaks in some districts, the Chief Minister instructed the Health Department and allied agencies to remain vigilant until the festival concludes. He emphasised the strict regulation of food and water quality, ensuring that only hygienic food and safe drinking water are available to the public throughout the event.
Timely Rituals and Coordination with Sevayats
CM Majhi called for full cooperation from the Sevayat (temple servitor) community to ensure that all rituals and ceremonial duties of Bhagwan Jagannath proceed in a timely and traditional manner. “The Rath Yatra is not just a cultural event—it’s a sacred duty that connects millions emotionally,” he remarked.
He added, “Managing this grand celebration is not merely a governmental responsibility but a collective spiritual mission. All departments, staff, and even non-governmental stakeholders must work in harmony for its success.”
Dignitaries Present at the Review
The review meeting was attended by Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy CM Prabhati Parida, Minister for Housing & Urban Development Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Higher Education, Sports, Youth Services, and Odia Language & Culture Surjya Banshi Suraj, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Rajya Sabha MP Subhashish Khuntia, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Police DG, senior officials of the Home Department and district administration, local MLAs, temple servitors, and heads of religious institutions.
Director of Shree Jagannath Mandir Administration Dr Aravind Padhee welcomed all attendees and provided updates on Mandir preparations. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chief Minister and dignitaries unveiled the official Rath Yatra preparation booklet prepared by the Puri district administration.
ଆଜି ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଙ୍କ ଉପସ୍ଥିତିରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ବ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ଶ୍ରୀଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିର ପରିଦର୍ଶନ କରିବା ସହ ଏହାର ଉନ୍ନତିକରଣ ଓ ସୈାନ୍ଦର୍ଯ୍ୟୀକରଣ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ, ଗୁଣ୍ଡିଚା ମନ୍ଦିରର ସିଂହଦ୍ବାର ପାର୍ଶ୍ଵରେ ନିର୍ମାଣ କରାଯାଉଥିବା ସୂଚନା କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଇତ୍ୟାଦି… pic.twitter.com/X6Ft00hdJA
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) June 22, 2025
Later, CM Majhi visited the Gundicha Mandir to inspect ongoing beautification and infrastructure enhancement work ahead of the Rath Yatra.
275 AI Cameras, Five-Tier Security, and 10,000 Police Personnel to Guard Puri
In preparation for the world-famous Rath Yatra, the Odisha Police has unveiled an extensive five-tier security arrangement in Puri, incorporating advanced surveillance systems and robust emergency response mechanisms to ensure the safety of the thousands of devotees.
Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania addressed the media on Sunday, announcing that the city will be under constant surveillance through 275 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV cameras, which are strategically placed at key locations throughout the holy town.
Over 10,000 police personnel, including specialised Quick Response Teams (QRTs), will be deployed across Puri. These forces will be complemented by drone surveillance, enhancing aerial monitoring and situational awareness.
“The security deployment will be multi-layered, with personnel stationed across various zones to maintain law and order, manage crowd control, and respond swiftly to emergencies,” the DGP stated.
Additionally, the Indian Coast Guard will be present along the Puri coastline to secure the beach and nearby coastal areas during the festivities.
The state police have also set up an integrated command and control centre to coordinate efforts and respond in real-time to any incidents. This enhanced security plan highlights the administration’s commitment to ensuring a safe and peaceful Rath Yatra.
East Coast Railway to Operate 365 Special Trains for Rath Yatra 2025 to Facilitate Pilgrim Travel
In preparation for the world-famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced an extensive plan to ensure seamless travel for pilgrims and devotees. A record 365 special trains will be operated during the Rath Yatra 2025 period, covering a wide network across Odisha and neighbouring states.
These trains will supplement regular services and are scheduled to run to and from Puri, connecting major cities and towns across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. Key destinations include Rourkela, Sambalpur, Angul, Baleswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Brahmapur, Talcher, Paradeep, Khurda Road, Daspalla, Rayagada, Gunupur, Kendujhar, Barbil, Bangiriposi, Badampahar, Boudh, Junagarh Road, Jagadalpur, Palasa, Visakhapatnam, Gondia, and Santragachhi.
The special train operations are designed to manage the heavy rush of passengers during the main days of the Rath Yatra festival, including Gundicha Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, and Sunavesa. Services will be operational from both major urban centres and interior regions, ensuring maximum accessibility.
Special attention has also been given to routes from pilgrimage and tribal belts such as Biramitrapur, Barbil, Kendujhargarh, and Jagadalpur, enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating hassle-free travel for devotees from remote areas.
This year’s arrangements represent a significant increase from Rath Yatra 2024, when 315 special trains were deployed. The rise to 365 reflects ECoR’s growing commitment to cater to the evolving demands of this globally recognised spiritual event.
ECoR has advised passengers to check train schedules, timings, and seat availability through official railway portals such as IRCTC and the Indian Railways website. Updates will also be made available via public announcements and local media in the days leading up to the festival.
