Mock Drill Conducted For Rath Yatra In Odisha’s Puri; Coastal Security Measures In Place

Puri: In order to ensure coordination among the staff of different departments and agencies during Rath Yatra, a mock drill was conducted in Odisha’s Puri town on Thursday.

Puri district collector Siddharth Shankar Swain held a meeting with all stakeholders and prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all of them. Later, the personnel of NDRF, ODRF, Fire Brigade, Police department, Transportation, PWD, municipality and volunteers participated in the mock drill.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, the collector said the administration had earlier written to all departments to prepare a special plan for this year’s Rath Yatra as three festivals will be celebrated on the same day. Besides Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Nabajouban Besha and Netro Utsav will be celebrated on July 7.

“The mock drill on the route of Rath Yatra on Bada Danda (Grand Road) in the town was conducted with participation of all stakeholders today. We have also released an SOP at the meeting. We are prepared for any exigency during the Rath Yatra but hope that it will be held without any hassles with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and support from the servitors,” he said.

At the same time, director general of police Arun Sarangi also held a meeting with senior police officers on the preparation for the Rath Yatra.

Coastal Security Measures

Meanwhile, it has been decided to take several measures on the coastal security during Rath Yatra. Additional DG of Police, Coastal Security, Odisha, Bhubaneswar had held a preparatory meeting on with the stakeholders including Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Director Fisheries on June 24. Another meeting was also held on Nune 27 with Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Enclave, Bhubaneswar.

It has been decided to take following measures to ensure coastal security:
• In order to meet the unforeseen challenges from the sea, all stakeholders have been kept on alert mode and directed to intensify extensive patrolling from July 6 to 19.
• Coastal Security Control Room will be operational from July 5 at Penthakata police station to keep contact with ships and air assets deployed during the car festival.
• All Marine police stations have been instructed to intensify extensive sea/land patrolling.
• Indian Coast Guard will conduct ship patrolling and keep standby interceptor boats at Paradeep/Gopalpur from July 6 to 9 and July 14 to 19.
• Indian Coast Guard Air Wing will conduct air surveillance along Puri coast by deploying their fixed wing aircraft and advanced light helicopter in morning and evening during the period.
• Indian Navy will deploy a team of life guards and medical assistant at Puri sea beach for lifesaving duty.
• Director, Fisheries will provide two trawlers to be deployed at Astaranga and Chandrabhaga and two small boats at Penthakata to keep watch on the movement of fishery boats.
• Fishery Department will deploy Sagar Mitras and fishery officers at all the fish landing points to keep watch on the movement of suspicious elements.