Bhubaneswar: The Holy City of Puri will turn into a fortress for the Snana Jatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on June 4.

The state government will deploy as many as 60 platoons of police force and 550 home guards in Puri city for smooth conduct of the festival, said Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Ashish Kumar Singh today.

Three commandants, 100 supervisory officers and 300 Sub-Inspectors/ Assistant Sub-Inspectors will be deployed for proper implantation and execution of the security arrangement in Puri, Singh added.

The district administration has raised barricades and sheds on the Grand Road in Puri for the convenience of devotees.

“It is expected that lakhs of devotees will throng the Holy City to with the Snanapurnima festival and Hati Besa ritual of Lord Jagannath on June 4. The state government and the district administration are making all arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival. Adequate number of security personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order and manage traffic in Puri. The shops along the Grand Road from the Market Square to the palace of Gajapati King will remain closed from June 3 to 5 to avoid rush near the temple,” said Puri Collector Samartha Verma.