Bhubaneswar: Senior IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi has been given responsibility of overseeing arrangements for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings in Odisha’s Puri this year.
According to sources, he has been entrusted with the task of ensuring the conduct of the annual car festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year, in a disciplined and smooth manner.
Priyadarshi will oversee law and order, traffic management, and arr
angements inside and outside the 12th century shrine during the festival. The senior officer has been given charge of coordinating and supervising various security and management arrangements during the Rath Yatra.
These aspects are considered crucial during Rath Yatra, which witnesses a massive gathering of devotees from across the country and abroad.
The move aims to strengthen overall planning and ensure better coordination among different departments involved in organising the festival.
Priyadarshi, who began his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Puri, also served as Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Rath Yatra is scheduled to be held on July 16 and the special task assigned to the senior IPS officer for the festival is likely to strengthen the security and management.