Puri, Dec 27: As thousands of devotees and tourists are expected to flock to Puri for the New Year celebrations, the Odisha Police have rolled out comprehensive security, traffic, and crowd management arrangements to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all. The measures were reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by Dr. Satyajit Naik, the DIG of Central Range (CR), along with senior police officers of Puri district.

With around 3.5 to 4 lakh devotees anticipated to visit the Jagannath Temple, the police have formulated a strategic deployment plan that will cover the temple premises, Puri town, and the sea beach areas. Special attention has been given to crowd regulation, ensuring smooth darshan, managing traffic flow, and ensuring quick emergency response during peak hours.

To effectively manage the expected rush, Odisha Police will deploy:

· 60 platoons of police personnel

· 10 Additional Superintendents of Police (SPs)

· 33 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs)

· 62 Inspectors and 245 Sub-Inspectors

These personnel will be tasked with maintaining law and order, preventing overcrowding, and responding swiftly to any emergencies.

Enhanced security measures will include:

· CCTV surveillance across key locations and operational control rooms, functioning from December 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

· Deployment of lifeguards, ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force), and STF (Special Task Force) units at vulnerable points, particularly along the beach.

· Strengthened beach safety arrangements to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

In addition, detailed traffic and parking plans have been drawn up, with multiple designated parking locations and contingency measures to avoid congestion. Barricading and queue management systems will also be in place to ensure an orderly and regulated entry into the Jagannath Temple. Public address systems will be used to issue advisories and guide the crowd.

As part of preventive policing, authorities have taken proactive steps such as:

· Action under the National Security Act (NSA) against habitual offenders.

· Seizure of contraband and intensified patrolling across the district to maintain security.

· Public safety measures to ensure that any potential threats are mitigated swiftly.

Authorities have also urged devotees, tourists, and local residents to cooperate with the police, follow traffic and safety advisories, and celebrate the New Year in a responsible and peaceful manner. These arrangements are designed to make the New Year celebrations in Puri safe, memorable, and incident-free for everyone.