Thick Security Blanket Over Puri For Corridor Inauguration On Jan 17, Odisha DGP Reviews Arrangements

Puri: Ahead of the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor Project in Puri on January 17, Odisha’s Director General of Police Arun Sarangi reviewed security arrangements at different places in the pilgrim town on Monday.

Even as a thick security blanket has been thrown over the pilgrim town in view of the mega event, the DGP along with other senior police officials inspected all the key locations.

The police chief inspected the helipad, Shree-Setu, Jagannath Ballabh Pilligrim centre, and Yanja Mandap where arrangements have been made for special guests to witness the mega event.

Stating that over 80 platoons of police force would be deployed on the inauguration day, Sarangi said a four-tier security system along with the bomb squad would be put in place in Puri. The security will be tightened inside the temple also.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made, he said, adding that the IG-Central Range and the SP of Puri are directly supervising all the security arrangements which have been in place for the last few days as a precautionary measure.

There will be a four-tier security arrangement in the town on January 17 to ensure smooth and trouble-free conduct of the inauguration ceremony. Around 100 supervisor officers, 250 sub-inspector and assistant sub-inspector rank officers, 80 platoons of police force, and home guards will be deployed. That apart, four bomb disposal and canine squads are also being deployed, hte DGP said.

Meanwhile, the seaside pilgrim town has come alive with a host of activities underway in the run up to the much-awaited inauguration ceremony. While a three-day-long yajna started began on Monday, Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda are being recited at the east, south, west, and north gates respectively.

A large number of devotees and tourists from different parts of the state and outside have already started  arriving in the pilgrim town.