Puri/Bhubaneswar, June 10: With preparations gathering pace for the world-famous Rath Yatra scheduled to commence on July 14, 2026, senior Odisha Police officials conducted a high-level review meeting and extensive field assessment in Puri to strengthen security and operational planning for the annual festival.
The exercise was led by Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation)Soumendra Priyadashi, who, along with Dr. Satyajit Naik, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Cuttack, undertook a comprehensive review aimed at finalising a robust RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed) Matrix for the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra 2026.
The strategic meeting brought together senior police officers and district administration officials, including representatives from the Central Range, the Crime Branch, and various police units, as well as the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Puri.
As part of the preparedness exercise, the team conducted an extensive field inspection of key festival locations. Critical operational areas such as crowd congregation points, traffic corridors, emergency access routes, parking facilities and other sensitive zones were reviewed to assess readiness and identify potential challenges. The assessment helped align ground-level realities with operational plans while enhancing coordination among various departments.
During the review, Dr. Naik delivered a detailed presentation on the proposed RACI Matrix, outlining the responsibilities and accountability framework for different agencies and field formations involved in the event. He highlighted the importance of clearly defined roles to ensure effective communication, coordinated action and efficient decision-making during the festival.
The presentation covered major operational areas, including crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response mechanisms, law-and-order arrangements, disaster preparedness, intelligence gathering and public facilitation measures.
Officials also held detailed discussions on the festival's security architecture, deployment strategies, anti-sabotage measures, technology-driven surveillance, command-and-control systems, cyber monitoring and contingency response plans. The RACI framework has been designed to assign specific responsibilities at every operational stage, reducing the possibility of gaps and improving overall efficiency.
Addressing the meeting, ADG Priyadashi stressed the need for meticulous planning and seamless coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the safe and successful conduct of the grand festival. He directed officials to operationalise the framework and undertake periodic reviews to maintain preparedness at all levels.
Senior officers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe, orderly and hassle-free experience for the lakhs of devotees expected to participate in Rath Yatra 2026. The finalised RACI Matrix will serve as a comprehensive operational roadmap, further strengthening Odisha Police's readiness for one of the state's largest religious gatherings.
Odisha Police, in coordination with the district administration and allied agencies, reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of public safety, security and service delivery during the festival.
