Bhubaneswar, July 12: Ahead of the Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra beginning on July 16, Odisha Police has finalized an extensive security plan to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the festival.

IInspector General of Police (Central Range), Dr. Satyajit Naik, visited Puri on Sunday to review security arrangements at and around the Shree Jagannath Temple and attended the Police-Magistrate Coordination Meeting with senior officials. The meeting assessed preparedness for crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response, and inter-departmental coordination.

The multi-layered security plan includes surveillance by land, sea, and air, with drones, anti-drone systems, and joint coastal patrolling by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Odisha Police Marine Unit. Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Disposal Squads, sniffer dog units, NSG-trained personnel, Special Operations Group (SOG), and Special Tactical Unit (STU) teams will also be deployed.

Dr. Naik said the focus remains on ensuring effective crowd control, preventing stampedes, strengthening anti-sabotage measures, and facilitating smooth darshan for the lakhs of devotees expected during the annual festival.