Puri: A day after two persons lost their lives amid a massive crowd surge triggered by heavy rain during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania on Friday made a fervent appeal to devotees, strongly advising them against bringing infants, toddlers and elderly people due to the overwhelming rush on Bada Danda (Grand Road) during the annual festival.
One victim, a 60-year-old man, succumbed to suffocation, while the second death was attributed to a cardiac arrest. The state government, however, denied reports that the fatalities were caused by a stampede.
Highlighting extensive security, traffic, and crowd-control arrangements, the top cop stressed the need for greater public cooperation to prevent further tragedies. “Please reconsider bringing children who are just six months, two years, or three years old. The crowd on the Bada Danda is extremely dense and intense. Their safety is a major concern,” the DGP urged.
He further stated that around 3-4 lakh devotees are currently in Puri and the number is expected rise further in the evening.
A key challenge, according to the DGP, is devotees stopping for extended periods after getting a glimpse of the deities, which disrupts the flow and rotational darshan systems designed for smooth movement. Stationary crowds in high-flow zones block circulation and heighten the risk of stampede-like situations. “We have designed rotational systems for smooth movement and darshan. However, we often observe that people are reluctant to leave their spots once they reach a good viewing point. Remaining in the same place for too long blocks the circulation of the crowd and causes immense inconvenience to others. This is highly dangerous,” Khurania explained.
The DGP requested the media to amplify his message: “I request the public to have their darshan and quickly move along so that others also get an equal opportunity to witness the deities safely.”
Rath Yatra drew an estimated 8-9 lakh devotees despite persistent rain, with authorities deploying over 10,000-12,000 police personnel, extensive CCTV coverage (including AI-assisted cameras), drones, evacuation corridors, temporary medical facilities, and LED screens for real-time information.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has expressed grief over the recent deaths and assured support, while reiterating that the festival has otherwise proceeded peacefully with coordinated efforts.
