Bhubaneswar: In
response to unexpected mishaps during the initial days of the Rath Yatra 2025,
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today convened a high-level review
meeting in Puri to take stock of the situation and strengthen security and
administrative preparedness for the remaining days of the annual chariot
festival.
The meeting brought together senior government
officials, police top brass, and representatives of the sevayat (servitor)
community to review ongoing arrangements and ensure seamless coordination for
key upcoming rituals of the 'Chaturdhamurti,' including Hera Panchami, Bahuda
Yatra, Suna Besha, Adharapana, and Niladri Bije.
Expressing concern over the lapses reported
during the first two days of the Yatra, CM Majhi announced that Development Commissioner Anu Garg has been tasked with leading a thorough investigation into the
events. He assured that appropriate action would follow based on the inquiry
findings.
Emphasising the sacred nature of the Rath Yatra, the Chief Minister underscored the need for discipline, seamless coordination, and uninterrupted darshan for devotees.
“The Rath Yatra is not merely a festival but a sacred service to Lord Jagannath. It is our collective responsibility to conduct it with devotion and discipline,” Majhi stated.
To tighten safety and streamline operations,
the Chief Minister issued a set of directives aimed at improving crowd control,
fire safety, and logistical arrangements. These include:
- Deployment of real-time crowd estimation systems
- Reduction and stricter issuance of non-transferable cordon passes, limited only to essential personnel
- Enhanced deployment of volunteers and security forces around the chariots and along the Grand Road (Badadanda)
- Joint fitness inspections of the chariots by Maharana and Bhoi servitors
- Strict regulation of vehicular traffic, particularly on the Bhubaneswar–Puri highway
- Complete prohibition of flammable items and roadside cooking in congregation zones
- Intensified fire service surveillance, especially in beaches and high-density crowd areas
The Chief Minister also appealed to the
servitor community to cooperate fully with the administration during the
remaining rituals, particularly Suna Besha, to ensure that lakhs of devotees
are able to participate peacefully.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing legitimate concerns of the sevayats and assured them that his office remains open for constructive dialogue.