Bhubaneswar: Odisha director general of police (DGP) Y B Khurania has instructed senior officers to draw up a foolproof crowd-control plan for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16.A preparatory meeting held in Cuttack on Thursday placed crowd management at the top of the agenda, especially in light of last year’s stampede on June 29 — the third day of the festival — which claimed three lives in front of the chariots outside Gundicha Temple.Chairing the preparatory meeting, Khurania stressed the significance of effective handling of emergency situations, disaster management and swift coordination among departments. “With lakhs of devotees expected, their safety is our priority. Crowd management, security arrangements and traffic regulation will remain our focus areas,” the DGP said.A senior police officer said the crowd-control plan on Grand Road will adopt best practices from previous Rath Yatras and other large-scale gatherings. “Food stalls and free distribution points run by NGOs will be shifted to less congested areas,” he said.Authorities also plan to restrict dance and cultural troupes from performing near the chariots during their movement. Only medical teams, fire service personnel and evacuation volunteers will be allowed in front of the chariots. Trucks, including those used earlier for sprinkling water, will be barred from entering the crowded area.Khurania directed officers to identify vulnerable spots along the Grand Road and its connecting bylanes, where crowd pressure typically builds.The top cop also ordered special drives against criminals ahead of the festival and extensive inspections of hotels and other accommodation centres in Puri. He emphasised intensified patrolling around Jagannath Temple and Puri beach.Highlighting the risk posed by anti-social elements, particularly pickpockets and thieves from outside the state, Khurania asked officers to remain vigilant. He suggested collecting their photographs and flashing them on screens at railway stations and bus stands to alert devotees.“Rogues’ galleries may be set up at railway police stations in Puri and Bhubaneswar, displaying information about habitual offenders,” the DGP said.Khurania added that adequate CCTV cameras have been installed and new parking facilities created in Puri and its outskirts to strengthen security and traffic management.
