Odisha Police Unveil Massive Security Plan for Rath Yatra 2026 in Puri

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the world-famous Rath Yatra 2026, the Odisha Police have put in place an extensive security and crowd management plan to ensure the festival is conducted safely and smoothly.

Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania said the state police are fully prepared for the annual chariot festival. More than 12,000 police personnel, including 19 senior IPS officers, will be deployed across Puri to oversee security, crowd control, traffic management and emergency response.

Special emphasis has been placed on securing the Shree Jagannath Temple, the three chariots, the Grand Road (Bada Danda), the chariot-pulling route, Puri beach and the railway station. Security agencies including the CRPF, BSF, RPF, NSG and bomb disposal squads will also be deployed as part of the multi-layered security arrangement.

Technology will play a major role in this year’s security plan. CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations across Puri, while an Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established through the JBPC to monitor the festival in real time. A separate Special Control Room has also been set up near the Shree Gundicha Temple to coordinate emergency response and ensure seamless communication among various agencies.

The Rath Yatra arrangements are being supervised by Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) Somendra Priyadarshi, with a special focus on crowd management, traffic regulation and the safety of devotees during the chariot procession. Around 225 Executive Magistrates will be deployed at key locations across Puri to maintain law and order and assist with crowd regulation.

The police have also appealed to devotees visiting Puri to follow traffic advisories issued through official social media platforms and WhatsApp channels. Authorities said special traffic management plans have been prepared to deal with heavy rainfall, if any, during the festival.

Keeping the monsoon in mind, the administration has identified 30 waterlogging-prone locations across Puri. High-capacity pumps and dedicated response teams have been deployed to ensure quick drainage of rainwater and prevent disruption to devotees.

To strengthen public services during the festival, the Health Department will establish eight temporary hospitals near the Grand Road, while around 1,700 temporary toilets have been set up to maintain sanitation and improve facilities for pilgrims.

With comprehensive security, technology-driven surveillance and coordinated emergency preparedness, the Odisha government aims to ensure a safe, orderly and incident-free Rath Yatra 2026 for devotees arriving from across India and abroad.