Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on July 6 chaired a comprehensive high-level review meeting on preparations for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, issuing key directions to ensure the smooth, safe, and well-coordinated conduct of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of seamless coordination among government departments, officials, employees, and temple servitors, stating that collective responsibility and disciplined execution would be crucial for managing the massive influx of devotees expected during the festival.
The meeting, held at Puri Town Hall, was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, senior ministers, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and top officials from multiple departments.
CM Stresses Devotion, Discipline and Inter-Departmental Coordination
Addressing the review meeting, Chief Minister Majhi said that the Rath Yatra is not just an administrative event but a matter of deep spiritual significance for millions of devotees across Odisha, India, and the world.
He said that with the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, all stakeholders must perform their duties with dedication, sincerity, and a spirit of service. “By combining knowledge, experience, and expertise, we can ensure a flawless and well-organised Rath Yatra,” he stated.
କୋଟି ଓଡ଼ିଆଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାଣକେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ଆମ ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନ ଓ ଅସ୍ମିତାର ପ୍ରତୀକ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ୱପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଆମ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ପବିତ୍ର ଓ ଆବେଗଭରା ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ। ଏହି ମହାନ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ମହାପର୍ବକୁ ସୁଚାରୁ ରୂପେ ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଜି ପୁରୀଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ବୈଠକରେ ପ୍ରଶାସନିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତିର ସମୀକ୍ଷା… pic.twitter.com/cjhNiH8mJc
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 6, 2026
Describing Mahaprabhu Jagannath as the presiding deity of countless devotees, the Chief Minister said the world closely watches the Puri Rath Yatra every year, making its successful execution a matter of both administrative responsibility and moral duty.
He expressed confidence that officials would treat their responsibilities as service to the Mahaprabhu and work with devotion to ensure error-free arrangements.
Extensive Arrangements for Security, Crowd Control and Essential Services
The Chief Minister informed that elaborate arrangements have been made for security and crowd management, including the deployment of a large number of police personnel across Puri and surrounding areas.
He also highlighted that comprehensive arrangements have been completed across key sectors such as healthcare, sanitation, drinking water supply, transportation, and traffic management to handle the anticipated massive turnout of devotees.
Majhi directed officials to take lessons from previous years and ensure continuous monitoring of arrangements. He emphasized the need for real-time coordination among departments to avoid bottlenecks during the festival period.
The Chief Minister also appreciated temple servitors for their continued dedication in ensuring timely completion of rituals and traditional ceremonies associated with the Rath Yatra.
Strict Control on Cordon Pass System; No Additional Passes Allowed
In a significant directive aimed at tightening security and ensuring discipline, the Chief Minister made it clear that no additional cordon passes will be issued beyond the prescribed limit.
He instructed the Puri District Collector to strictly adhere to the rules and ensure that cordon passes are issued only to servitors and officials directly associated with temple rituals and ceremonial responsibilities.
The Chief Minister stressed that no unauthorised individual should be granted access to restricted zones.
ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ସମୀକ୍ଷା ବୈଠକ
✅ସମନ୍ୱୟ ଉପରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ
✅ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରଶାସନ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଚଳିତ ବର୍ଷ ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା ନିମନ୍ତେ ଏକ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ବୈଠକରେ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତା କରି ଅଧିକାରୀ ଓ କର୍ମଚାରୀଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ… pic.twitter.com/LfFDJBBh0G
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 6, 2026
He further directed officials to ensure that any unauthorised entry into cordoned areas is handled with dignity and without causing embarrassment, while ensuring strict enforcement of rules.
Training of officers and security personnel deployed for cordon management was also emphasized to ensure effective handling of crowd control and restricted access points during peak festival hours.
Zero Tolerance for Misconduct; Safety of Women Devotees Prioritised
The Chief Minister issued a strong warning against any form of misconduct towards women devotees, directing authorities to take strict and immediate action against offenders.
He said the safety and dignity of every devotee, especially women and children, remains a top priority for the government.
ଚଳିତ ବର୍ଷର ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସୁପରିଚାଳନା ପାଇଁ ପୁରୀରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ସମୀକ୍ଷା ବୈଠକରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ସମନ୍ୱୟ, ସମର୍ପଣ ଓ ସେବାଭାବ ସହ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବାକୁ ସମସ୍ତ ବିଭାଗର ଅଧିକାରୀ, କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଓ ସେବକ ବନ୍ଧୁମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି ।
ରଥଯାତ୍ରାର ସୁରକ୍ଷା, ଭିଡ଼ ପରିଚାଳନା, ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା,… pic.twitter.com/KDPfAogYfr
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 6, 2026
Majhi appealed to all stakeholders, including servitors and officials, to maintain close coordination and ensure a respectful and safe environment for pilgrims throughout the festival.
Use of Technology and Media for Real-Time Information Dissemination
The Chief Minister instructed officials to make extensive use of communication platforms, including print and electronic media, FM radio, social media, public announcement systems, and departmental websites.
He said devotees must be kept informed about ritual schedules, traffic advisories, darshan arrangements, and emergency updates in real time.
According to him, timely and accurate dissemination of information would significantly reduce confusion, prevent overcrowding, and improve overall crowd management.
He also directed authorities to maintain strict vigilance against misinformation and take firm action against those spreading rumours or misleading content during the festival period.
Rath Yatra as a Global Spiritual Event
Highlighting the global significance of the festival, the Chief Minister said the Rath Yatra attracts millions of devotees from across the world and is a symbol of Odisha’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
He said the success of the festival depends on collective participation, coordination, and devotion from all stakeholders involved in its management.
Majhi expressed hope that devotees would return home with a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience, calling it the ultimate benchmark of administrative success.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the official booklet titled “Ruparekha – Rath Yatra 2026” prepared by the Puri district administration.
The meeting witnessed participation from senior leadership, including Deputy Chief Ministers, cabinet ministers, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police.
The Chief Secretary presented an overview of overall preparations across departments, while the DGP briefed the meeting on detailed security arrangements, crowd control measures, and law enforcement deployment strategies.
Officials from multiple departments also provided updates on health services, sanitation, transport arrangements, electricity supply, and emergency response systems.
Railway Preparedness for Rath Yatra Reviewed in Puri
In a parallel review meeting, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, assessed Indian Railways’ preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri.
The focus of the review was to ensure safe, seamless, and comfortable travel for the lakhs of devotees expected to arrive in the holy city.
Over 300 Special Trains Planned; Large-Scale Passenger Management
Railway officials informed that more than 300 special trains are planned during the festival period to manage the surge in passenger traffic.
Dedicated holding areas capable of accommodating over 30,000 passengers are being developed, along with additional ticket counters and enhanced passenger facilitation measures across the railway station premises.
Ensuring seamless arrangements for Rath Yatra 2026 while advancing world-class railway infrastructure.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and Hon’ble Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected the Rath Yatra arrangements and reviewed the ongoing… pic.twitter.com/0lVu6Ynwan
— East Coast Railway (@EastCoastRail) July 6, 2026
Food arrangements, drinking water facilities, crowd control systems, and emergency response mechanisms are also being strengthened.
The Railway Minister conducted an overall assessment of crowd management systems, passenger movement strategies, and operational readiness.
Senior officials from Indian Railways and East Coast Railway briefed the delegation on integrated operational plans designed specifically for the festival period.
Vaishnaw also inspected passenger amenities at Puri Railway Station and reviewed safety protocols, platform management systems, and crowd dispersal mechanisms.
Commitment to Safe and Efficient Travel
Officials stated that the coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Railways and the Odisha Government reflect a strong institutional commitment to ensuring safe and efficient mass mobility during one of India’s largest religious events.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve travel experience for pilgrims and reduce congestion during peak festival days.
Health Minister Reviews Emergency Medical Arrangements in Puri
Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling conducted a detailed review of healthcare preparedness at the office of the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Puri, ahead of the Rath Yatra.
The review focused on ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality medical services for the large number of devotees expected to attend the festival.
ପୁରୀ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ମୁଖ୍ୟ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ପବିତ୍ର ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ସମୀକ୍ଷା ବୈଠକରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି।
ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ଲକ୍ଷାଧିକ ଭକ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ନିରବଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନ ଓ ଉନ୍ନତମାନର ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା ଯୋଗାଇଦେବା ପାଇଁ କରାଯାଇଥିବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି, ଆବଶ୍ୟକୀୟ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଓ ଜରୁରୀକାଳୀନ ସେବା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ… pic.twitter.com/b9auwVEDcX
— Dr. Mukesh Mahaling (@MahalingMukesh) July 6, 2026
The Health Minister informed that specialist doctors, nursing officers, and pharmacists from across the state will be deployed during the festival to strengthen medical response capacity.
He said adequate manpower has been planned to handle emergencies and provide timely treatment to devotees.
Expansion of Ambulance Network
As part of emergency response preparedness, 46 additional 108 ambulances will be deployed across various locations in Puri district.
In addition, 10 more ambulances will be stationed along key stretches of National Highway 203 to ensure rapid response during emergencies and manage crowd-related incidents effectively.
Strengthening Medical Infrastructure Near Temple Area
Special focus has been placed on improving healthcare services in and around the Shree Jagannath Temple complex.
Measures include improved traffic management within the temple vicinity, establishment of well-equipped primary health centres, and streamlined coordination of ambulance services to ensure quick response during emergencies.
The Health Minister also directed officials to strengthen logistical arrangements for deployed doctors and paramedical staff, including accommodation, transportation, and food facilities, to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Commitment to Devotee Safety
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Dr. Mahaling said that the safety and health of devotees remain the highest priority.
He expressed confidence that with coordinated planning and divine blessings, this year’s Rath Yatra will be conducted in a safe, orderly, and successful manner.
Senior officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department, National Health Mission, Odisha State Medical Corporation, and Directorate of Health Services attended the review meeting.
With coordinated efforts across the state government, Indian Railways, and health administration, Odisha has put in place a multi-layered strategy to ensure the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra 2026.
From strict security protocols and expanded railway services to enhanced healthcare infrastructure and real-time communication systems, the administration is focusing on every aspect of crowd and service management.
Officials reiterated that the combined efforts of government agencies and temple servitors will be key to ensuring that millions of devotees experience a safe, peaceful, and spiritually enriching Rath Yatra in Puri.
