Odisha CM Majhi Orders Zero Compromise on Crowd Management During Bahuda Yatra

Bhubaneswar, July 23: Ahead of the Bahuda Yatra scheduled for July 24, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a high-level review of preparations and instructed officials to enforce stringent crowd control measures, strengthen security, and ensure the smooth conduct of all religious events in Puri.

The review comes a week after a tragic incident during the annual Rath Yatra on July 16, when two devotees lost their lives and several others reportedly fell ill amid the massive gathering. Taking note of the incident, the Chief Minister stressed that public safety must remain the top priority during the return journey of the deities and the upcoming temple rituals.

Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to gather in the holy town as the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra make their ceremonial return to the 12th-century Jagannath Temple during the Bahuda Yatra.

Addressing senior officials, Majhi directed all departments to ensure flawless coordination and leave no room for lapses in law and order, crowd regulation, or emergency response. He emphasized that every arrangement should be carefully planned to facilitate the safe movement of devotees throughout the festival.

The Chief Minister also called for wider use of modern technology in managing the massive crowds. He instructed authorities to monitor crowd density using surveillance systems and integrate CCTV camera feeds with the Integrated Command and Control System (ICCS) to enable real-time assessment and quicker decision-making.

According to Majhi, immediate transmission of information from surveillance cameras to the command centre and field teams would help officials respond swiftly to congestion or any emerging situation, preventing unnecessary panic and ensuring smooth crowd movement.

Besides security arrangements, he directed the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to ensure that all temple rituals and ceremonial proceedings are conducted without disruption. He stressed the importance of maintaining coordination among temple servitors, administrative officials, police personnel, and emergency services during every stage of the festivities.

The Bahuda Yatra will be followed by the Suna Besha ceremony on July 25, during which the sibling deities will be adorned with gold ornaments. The event traditionally attracts more than one million devotees, making it one of the most crowded occasions in the Rath Yatra celebrations.

Another major ritual, Niladri Bije, marking the return of the deities to the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple, is scheduled for July 27. The Chief Minister instructed officials to extend the same level of preparedness and vigilance to these events as well.

Majhi expressed appreciation for the efforts of temple servitors, police personnel, government officials, and volunteers who successfully managed the Rath Yatra despite adverse weather conditions. He urged them to continue working with the same commitment and discipline during the remaining religious ceremonies.

He also appealed to devotees visiting Puri to cooperate with the administration by following traffic regulations, security protocols, and crowd management guidelines issued by the district administration and police. Public cooperation, he said, would play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and peaceful pilgrimage experience.

During the review meeting, the Chief Minister expressed condolences over the deaths reported during the Rath Yatra and extended sympathy to the bereaved families. The Odisha Government has already announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of each of the two deceased devotees.

The preparedness review included presentations on security deployment, traffic management, emergency medical services, sanitation, and coordination among various departments. Officials discussed measures to improve surveillance, streamline pilgrim movement, and enhance response mechanisms for any unforeseen situation.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee briefed the meeting on arrangements for the Bahuda Yatra and the subsequent temple rituals. The meeting was attended by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, senior administrative officials, and representatives of the temple administration.

With lakhs of devotees expected to arrive in Puri over the coming days, the Odisha Government has placed all departments on high alert to ensure that the Bahuda Yatra and the remaining Rath Yatra festivities are conducted safely, peacefully, and without any disruption.