Security Beefed Up For New Year Rush In Odisha’s Puri; Check Traffic Advisory

Puri: As a large number of devotees and tourists are likely to visit Puri during the New Year, elaborate security arrangements have been made in the pilgrim town to ensure safe and smooth movement of visitors. Besides, special traffic advisory has been issued for smooth movement of vehicles and avoiding unnecessary traffic jam.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agarwal said security has been tightened in and around Shree Jagannath temple, sea-beach, various traffic zones, bus stand, railway station and other key places of the town to ensure safe and smooth movement of visitors and prevent any untoward incident.

“Ahead of the New Year, we have made necessary security arrangements in all areas of Puri, including Jagannath temple premises, surrounding areas of Srimandir, other major temples, sea-beach, various traffic zones and other major locations of the city,” said Agarwal.

On the traffic advisory and parking zones for four-wheelers during the period, Agarwal said visitors coming from Bhubaneswar will have to park their vehicles near the parking zones at Jail Road and Saradha Bali. Similarly, those arriving from Konark side will be parking their vehicles at Talabania Ground, while those entering from Brahmagiri area will be asked to park vehicles at Jatrika. All four-wheelers have to return through the same route they entered Puri.

As per the special traffic advisory, those commuting on two-wheelers can enter through Grand Road via Atharnala, Banambar Chowk, Kumbharpada Police Station, Hospital Square and park their vehicles at Municipality Market Comples parking area on first come first priority basis.

After the Municipality Market Complex parking zone is filled up, then two-wheelers will be diverted to the eastern side of Grand Road from Market Square to Hospital Crossing, the traffic advisory revealed.

The SP  further stated to avoid unusual chaos and congestion at key locations of the city, certain areas of Puri have been designated as no-vehicle zones for the period.

The areas marked as no-vehicle zones are Medical Square, Lighthouse Square, Subhash Square, and Achrya Harihar Square. In those zones, only two-wheelers will be allowed to commute, while four-wheelers will be restricted, he said.

This apart, CCTV cameras are being installed across the town and a control room will be set up to monitor the security arrangements. Besides, special teams will be deployed at Puri sea-beach for safety and security of the visitors. Besides, more live guards will be deployed at the beach to avoid any drowning incident.”

He appealed devotees, visitors and local residents to follow traffic rules strictly and cooperate on-duty police personnel and volunteers to discharge their duties smoothly.  The SP also warned of  strict action against those flouting traffic rules, misbehaving with women and children and indulging in any unlawful activity.