Puri: Police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth vehicle flow and public safety during Devasnana Purnima of the Lords of Shree Jagannath Temple on June 11, when a large number of devotees expected to throng Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri.
Devasnana Purnima, also called Snana Yatra, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Jyestha month (May-June) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. On this day, the sibling deities are ritually bathed with 108 pots of holy water from Suna Kua (golden well).
Speaking to the media, Puri SP Vinīt Agarwal said that 70 platoons of force along with 450 officers and four SP-rank officers will be deployed in the city. “The focus is on crowd management, traffic regulation and ground control. The forces will be deployed inside and outside the temple and at the sea beach. 34 platoons with an SP will be stationed inside Srimandir to streamline darshan of the deities, 24 platoons and 2 SPs outside for crowd control, 8 platoons with one SP for traffic management, and one platoon with an Additional SP for public assistance,” he said.
Barricades have been set up for orderly darshan during the ceremonial bath of the deities. AI-based surveillance cameras, linked to a new integrated control room in the city, will be used for real-time monitoring. “The stretch from Medical Chhak to Srimandir will become a no vehicular zone from the evening of June 10,” he added.
The SP further stated that 112 anti-socials have been taken into custody during a drive in the city.
The advisory, outlining specific traffic and parking plans for four-wheelers, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers entering Puri from various routes, are as follows:
Traffic guidelines
Four-Wheelers
1. From Brahmagiri Side: Light motor vehicles (LMVs) approaching from Brahmagiri will take a right turn at Mangalaghat Chhak, proceed through Sterling Chhak and Beach Road, and head to Light House Chhak for parking at Yatrika. Vehicles will return via the same route.
2. From Bhubaneswar Side: LMVs from Bhubaneswar will be routed to the designated parking zones at Jail Road Parking and Saradhabali Open Ground via Batagaon, Charinala, Atharnala, Kumbharpada PS, Medical Chhak, and Badadanda. Once these fill up, traffic will be diverted to Yatrika, Digabareni, Blue Flag Beach Parking, and Neelachal Ashok parking, returning via the same route.
3. From Konark Side: Vehicles coming via Konark will proceed to Saradhabali parking via Baidas Nagar, Toshali Sands Chhak, Grid Station Chhak, Balighat Chhak, Sidhmahaveer Chhak, and Matipada Chhak. The vehicles will be diverted to Talabania and ITI parkings once that at Saradhabali reaches it capacity. These vehicles will return via the same route.
Two-Wheelers
Motorcycles and scooters from Brahmagiri, Bhubaneswar and Konark will proceed towards the Grand Road via Atharnala, Banamber Chhak, Kumbharpada PS, and Hospital Chhaka. Parking will be provided at the Municipality Market Complex on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, riders will be directed to the Old Jagannath Ballav parking area.
Three-Wheeler Shuttle Service will also available for people visiting the pilgrim city.
Autorickshaws from Talabania will proceed to Hospital Chhak via Water Works Road, Odisha Bakery, Ram Mandir, Ghoda Bazar, and Red Cross Road. Those heading toward the sea beach from Talabania will be allowed up to Town Hall Chhak via Penthakata, CT Road, Youth Hostel, Urban Hata, Zilla School, and SCS College.
Three-wheelers will not be allowed to ply on roads around Shree Jagannath Temple, including the Lion’s Gate from Solakhia Baragachha Chhak (Balisahi Road), North Gate from Biseswari Temple, and Mochi Sahi Chhak to Brusav Chhak (Lokanath Road).
Puri Police have also made 24×7 helplines operational for the convenience of the public: 112 / 6370967100 / 06752-232551.