Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, the state police have decided to deploy private security guards to manage parking facilities in the pilgrim city.While police personnel will look after traffic management, the private guards will be tasked exclusively with operating parking lots. Officials said the arrangement is designed to ease the burden on police, enforce parking rules and assist visitors during the grand festival.A senior police officer explained the scale of the arrangement. “Lakhs of devotees with thousands of vehicles will converge in Puri. To minimise manpower pressure on police, we have decided to deploy 350 private security guards, including 30 supervisors, at designated parking lots and other critical points from July 13 to July 27,” a senior police officer said.The guards will be tasked with directing incoming and outgoing vehicles, ensuring orderly parking and preventing bottlenecks at entry and exit points. They will check permits or passes, verify vehicle identification and stop unauthorised access.“Their role is not just traffic management but also vigilance. Guards will patrol the parking lots to detect suspicious activity, respond to disputes and escalate matters to senior police officers when necessary,” the police officer said.Officials emphasised that the guards will also act as first responders during emergencies. They will assist in cases of accidents, medical crises, or fires and help with evacuation and rescue operations. “We want visitors to feel safe and supported. These guards will be trained to provide directions, help people locate vehicles and extend first aid when required,” another police officer involved in planning said.The guards will maintain logs, report incidents and document observations to ensure accountability. They will coordinate closely with police and festival management teams to maintain discipline and security. “Parking chaos often triggers larger crowd issues. By streamlining this aspect, we are indirectly contributing to overall safety during Rath Yatra,” the senior officer said.According to police authorities, the deployment is part of a broader strategy to manage the massive influx of pilgrims. “Every measure — from traffic control to sanitation — is being taken to uphold the sanctity of the festival. Parking management may seem routine, but it is critical to ensuring that devotees experience the yatra without stress or disorder,” the officer added.
