Cops gear up for smooth Rath Yatra in Odisha capital

Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Jul 17:

Commissionerate Police has made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for an incident-free and hassle-free Rath Yatra in the Odisha Capital during Nabakalebara festival in Puri.

“26 platoons of police forces will be deployed in and around the city to keep a vigil round the clock on any eventuality. They will be supervised by officers of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Inspector-in-charge (IIC) rank,” said Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Satyabrata Bhoi on Thursday.

The policemen deployed for the occasion will act under the overall command of the Bhubaneswar DCP.

This apart, 200 NCC and around 300 traffic volunteers would be engaged to streamline vehicular movement during Rath Yatra, the DCP added.

This year, the Rath Yatra will be celebrated at 20 different locations in the city. For smooth conduct of so many Rath Yatras, Commissionerate Police have erected seven traffic head post at major squares including Khandagiri, Kalpana, Rasulgarh, Uttara and Hi-Tech square to regulate the traffic movement.

At each traffic post, 10-15 police personnel will be deployed to ease traffic congestion. The vehicles coming from Cuttack side to Puri will be diverted at New Jagannath Sadak road.

“Each police station IIC has been directed to deploy sufficient police personnel and striking forces at their respective police stations to maintain law and order. They will also conduct regular check up in lodges and hotels in the city every morning and evening during the Rath Yatra festival,” the DCP said.