Puri, June 26: As the world-famous Rath Yatra (Car Festival) set to begin tomorrow, the holy city of Puri in Odisha is under an extraordinary security blanket. With lakhs of devotees expected to witness the divine journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Ratna Bedi of Srimandir to the Janma Bedi of Shree Gundicha Temple, the Odisha government has rolled out a multi-layered security and traffic management plan--unlike any seen before.

For the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Room has been made operational in Puri. Over 275 AI-powered CCTV cameras have been installed across the city and along the Bhubaneswar–Puri and Puri–Konark routes to monitor crowd movement and traffic in real time. Anti-drone systems, bomb squads, dog squads, and anti-terrorist units have also been deployed.

Inspired by the scale of the Kumbh Mela, this year’s traffic mobility plan in Puri includes multiple vehicle holding zones, digital network systems, and 10 communication channels for team-wise coordination. More than 200 platoons of police, along with BSF, RAF, and private security personnel, are on duty. Six enforcement squads will remove illegally parked vehicles, and watch towers will oversee crowd mobility.

In a first, the Fire Services Department has deployed a command vehicle in Puri to respond swiftly to any emergencies. Fire DG Sudhanshu Sarangi confirmed that the department is prepared for all contingencies—from water sprinkling during heatwaves to floodwater drainage and beachside safety.

The state government has emphasized safe and orderly darshan, especially in light of recent security concerns. With over 80 aid posts, VHF communication systems, and flexible deployment of local officers, the administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful and spiritually uplifting Rath Yatra.

Puri is witnessing an unprecedented security and traffic management setup for Rath Yatra 2025, with the introduction of an Integrated Command and Control Room, deployment of 275 AI-powered cameras, anti-drone systems, and over 200 police platoons.

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