Puri: With the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings in Puri fast approaching, the Odisha Police on Tuesday said all security arrangements for the world-famous festival have been finalised.
Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania told reporters that the police have divided the security and law and order responsibilities into eight specific sectors to ensure smooth conduct of the annual festival.
These groups include traffic management, inner temple arrangements, inner and outer cordon security, crowd control, coastal security, and other strategic deployments. Special emphasis has been placed on technology and integrated coordination.
“For the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Room has been set up. Around 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed along the route between Uttara Chhak and Puri town and between Puri and Konark. The live visuals from these cameras will be monitored round the clock,” Khurania said.
Sub-control rooms have also been set up at key locations to enhance real-time monitoring. These AI-powered surveillance systems will assist officers in tracking traffic movement, identifying crowd surges, and enabling prompt decision-making during emergencies.
In order to strengthen the security apparatus, the police have also deployed anti-drone systems, anti-sabotage teams, and dog squads. Approximately 200 platoons of Odisha Police will be stationed across Puri, with additional support from eight companies of central paramilitary forces including the BSF, CRPF, RAF, Marine Police, Coast Guard, and Indian Navy, especially for coastal vigilance.
A real-time chatbot application has been launched to assist pilgrims and visitors with information on parking availability, route maps, and directions to vacant parking spaces.
All necessary steps have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure Rath Yatra. Around 10,000 personnel, including state police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Home Guards, will be on duty during the festival, the police chief said.
For the first time, NSG (National Security Guard) snipers will be deployed following a detailed threat assessment, while anti-drone technology, police-operated drones will also be in use for aerial surveillance, the DGP added.
