Adequate security arrangements for Rath Yatra in Odisha

Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) R.P. Sharma on Wednesday said tight security arrangements will be made to ensure smooth conduct of Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings in Puri.

The nine-day festival will begin on July 14 and it is expected that lakhs of devotees would congregate in the pilgrim town to witness the chariot festival.

Large numbers of police personnel will be deployed to give proper security arrangement to the devotees and tourists during Gundicha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Sunavesha, Nabajoubana Darshana and Niladribije.

After taking a review meeting on the security measures in Puri, Sharma said 140 platoons of police force and 1,000 officers will be deployed during Rath Yatra.

He also informed that police have sought permission from Civil Aviation Ministry to declare Bada Danda (grand road) as a 'no flying zone'.

The police officers have been instructed to keep a strict vigil on the visitors in all hotels in Puri while adequate security personnel would be deployed along the coast.

The Coast Guard has agreed for adequate sea patrolling off the coast of Puri while the Railway Protection Force (RPF) offered to ensure adequate security at Puri and Bhubaneswar railway stations.

Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief Pradipta Mohapatra said CCTVs will be installed around the Gundicha temple during the festival.

On the other hand, the three chariots of the deities were kept ready. The chariots carrying the deities will be pulled by the devotees to Gundicha temple on July 14 after a series of rituals.

--IANS

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