Newz Desk: Durgapur: Elaborate security arrangements are being put in place in Puri ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for July 16, with more than 12,000 police personnel set to be deployed across the temple town. Authorities have planned a multi-layered security network covering land, sea, and air to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of one of India’s largest religious festivals.
According to senior Odisha Police officials, joint maritime patrolling has already begun along the Puri coastline with the participation of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and the Odisha Police Marine Police Station. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will also remain deployed aboard surveillance vessels to respond swiftly to any emergency.
The security strategy is focused on three key priorities: effective crowd management for lakhs of devotees, smooth traffic regulation, and rapid response to emergencies. To strengthen aerial surveillance, drones will be deployed throughout the festival, while anti-drone systems will remain operational to detect and neutralize any unauthorized or potentially dangerous unmanned aerial vehicles.
Officials said multiple security agencies, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Indian Coast Guard, and the National Security Guard (NSG), will work in coordination during the festival. NSG Quick Response Teams will also be stationed in the city as part of the comprehensive security framework. Security agencies conducted a full-scale mock drill simulating a terrorist attack at the Jagannath Temple in Puri ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra to test emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.
A high-level review meeting on the security blueprint was chaired by Odisha Director General of Police Y. B. Khurania on Tuesday, where detailed discussions were held on preparedness and deployment plans.
Security has also been intensified inside and around the Jagannath Temple, where specialized units, including K-9 squads, NSG-trained Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel, and Special Tactical Units (STUs), will remain on duty. In addition, dedicated police teams will monitor hotels, lodges, bus terminals, railway stations, and dharamshalas across the city to maintain vigilance throughout the festival.
