Tight security cover, CCTV surveillance for ‘Parikrama Project’ inauguration in Puri

Bhubaneswar: A four-layer security cover would be in place in Odisha’s Puri town for the inauguration of Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project on January 17.

As many as 80 platoons of police force will be deployed at Puri to provide security to the VIPs and devotees, maintain law and order and manage traffic during the mega event, said Director General of Police (In-Charge) Arun Sarangi after inspecting the security arrangements at the Holy Town today.

Around a hundred police officers will supervise the security arrangements for the inaugural ceremony of Srimandir Parikrama project, added the DGP.

The DGP along with senior police officers including Director, Intelligence Sanjeev Panda, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar, Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Ashis Singh and Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Kanwar Vishal Singh visited the place identified for the performance rituals of the inaugural ceremony, newly-constructed bridge ‘Shree Setu’ and the parking lot at Jagannath Ballav to review the security arrangements.

“The Central Range IGP and Puri SP will supervise the security arrangements for the inaugural ceremony. Around 250 Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector-rank officials, and four bomb disposal squads will be deployed in Puri for the mega event,” said the DGP.

Many dignitaries including the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are scheduled to attend the inauguration of Srimandir heritage corridor project.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has invited representatives from at least 90 religious shrines and institutions across the country to the ceremony.

It is expected that around 5 lakh devotees will participate in the inaugural ceremony of the mega project.

The administration has installed around 500 CCTV cameras across the coastal town as part of foolproof security arrangements for the inaugural ceremony, sources said.

The state government has spent around Rs 800 crore for implementing the heritage corridor project, sources added.