THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PURI, JUNE 23, 2026

With just days remaining for the world-famous Rath Yatra, the Odisha government on Tuesday finalized comprehensive arrangements for the grand festival at a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, underscoring its commitment to ensuring a safe, seamless and spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees expected to converge on Puri.

The second coordination meeting reviewed preparations across security, transportation, healthcare, sanitation and crowd management, reflecting the scale of planning undertaken for one of India’s largest religious gatherings.

To strengthen security and maintain order during the festival, authorities have planned the deployment of 220 platoons of police personnel. A robust surveillance network comprising 475 CCTV cameras will monitor key locations across the pilgrim town, while 28 emergency exit points have been identified to facilitate swift crowd movement during contingencies. Security arrangements will be further reinforced by specialized units, including National Security Guard (NSG) personnel and tactical response teams, to ensure effective crowd management and public safety.

Reviewing temple-related preparations, Shree Jagannath Temple Administartion (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee informed the meeting that construction of the three majestic chariots is nearing completion under the close supervision of dedicated committees. Authorities also emphasized meticulous planning for the smooth conduct of the sacred Pahandi and Rath Tana rituals, which draw lakhs of devotees from across the globe.

Healthcare infrastructure has been significantly strengthened to meet the demands of the mega event. The administration has arranged 200 additional hospital beds and established 30 emergency health centres across strategic locations. A team of 230 doctors, including specialists, will remain on duty, while rapid response medical teams will be stationed at sensitive points to provide immediate assistance whenever required.

Sanitation and civic preparedness have also received special attention. Major drainage channels in the town have been cleaned ahead of the monsoon season, and high-capacity pumping systems have been deployed to prevent waterlogging. The Puri Municipal Corporation has installed 1,600 temporary toilets and earmarked 23 parking zones to facilitate the smooth movement and convenience of pilgrims.

Transportation arrangements have been scaled up extensively to accommodate the massive influx of devotees. Railways will operate 370 special trains in addition to regular services, taking the total number of trains to around 1,200 during the festival period. Special holding areas capable of accommodating 25,000 passengers, along with 35 ticket counters and 12 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), will be set up to streamline passenger movement. Railway security will be strengthened through the deployment of 800 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and 1,500 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel. Road connectivity will also receive a boost with the operation of 130 special buses.

The meeting was attended by senior ministers, Members of Parliament, legislators, top police officials and district administrators, highlighting the extensive inter-departmental coordination being undertaken to ensure the successful conduct of Rath Yatra 2026.