THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 18, 2026

In a major administrative exercise ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Odisha government has deputed 30 senior administrative officers to Puri to ensure the smooth, safe and efficient conduct of the world-famous chariot festival, which attracts millions of devotees from across India and abroad.

According to an official order issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on June 17, the officers will function as Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) from June 20 to July 27, 2026, providing crucial support to the district administration during the extensive festival period.

The state government has mobilised experienced officers from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS), including Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries and other senior officials from key departments such as Health and Family Welfare, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Works, Energy, Panchayati Raj, Commerce and Transport, among others. They have been directed to report immediately to the Collector and District Magistrate, Puri, for further assignment of responsibilities.

The move reflects the government's commitment to ensuring seamless coordination and effective management of one of the world's largest religious congregations. The annual Rath Yatra witnesses the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on magnificently decorated chariots through the streets of Puri, drawing an enormous influx of pilgrims and visitors.

Given the scale of the event, meticulous planning is required in areas such as crowd management, traffic regulation, healthcare services, sanitation, accommodation, emergency response and overall logistics. The deployment of senior officers is expected to significantly strengthen on-ground coordination and enhance service delivery for devotees.

The government has also instructed all concerned departments to relieve the designated officers without delay, enabling them to join their assignments in Puri at the earliest and contribute to the successful organisation of the grand festival.