Cuttack: With barely ten days left for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, the Odisha Police on Wednesday held a high-level meeting to fine-tune preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the annual festival.
Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Sarangi chaired the meeting at the state police headquarters in Cuttack and discussed several measures to ensure that the festival is held in a disciplined manner.
The DGP directed the police officials to remain alert and vigilant to ensure a peaceful and hassle-free celebration of Rath Yatra which is scheduled to be held on July 7 this year.
As per the traditions of the Shree Jagannath Temple, a slew of rituals are slated to be performed on different dates. While Netra Utsav, Nabajaubana Darshan and Rath Yatra are to be conducted on July 7, Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) will be held on July 15, Suna Besha on July 17 and Niladree Bije on July 19.
A large number of devotees from across the country and abroad will throng the pilgrim town to witness the grand event.
President Droupadi Murmu, several Union Ministers, Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and a host of dignitaries will also visit Puri to participate in Rath Yatra celebrations. Therefore, the police administration was asked by the DGP to make elaborate arrangements.
As part of the security measures, senior police officials will be deployed for special tasks. Wherever necessary, bomb disposal squads, NHMD< DMFD, metal detectors and counter intelligence squads would be deployed. Special arrangements will be made for VVIPs and CCTVs installed at different locations of the town.
To ensure proper traffic management, special arrangements will be made for smooth movement of devotees. Police patrolling will be intensified near the sea beach and temporary police outposts will be set up.
