BHUBANESWAR, July 15: Anticipating an unprecedented influx of pilgrims for the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced an extensive operational strategy aimed at ensuring smooth transportation, enhanced passenger convenience and robust security throughout the nine-day religious festival beginning on July 16.
The railway administration has announced a comprehensive package of special train services, upgraded station infrastructure, strengthened surveillance and large-scale deployment of security forces to efficiently manage the massive crowds expected to visit the holy city of Puri.
Special Train Network to Cater to Devotees
To accommodate the seasonal travel demand, East Coast Railway will operate numerous special trains connecting Puri with several major destinations across eastern and central India.
These services will provide convenient travel options for devotees from Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The expanded rail network will cover important stations including Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangriposi, Junagarh Road, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Balasore, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradip, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Berhampur, Dhenkanal, Palasa, Visakhapatnam, Gondia and Santragachi.
Railway authorities have also indicated that additional trains can be introduced at short notice if passenger demand exceeds current estimates during the festival period.
Puri Station Equipped for Heavy Passenger Movement
Recognising the enormous footfall associated with the Rath Yatra, the railway administration has significantly upgraded passenger management facilities at Puri Railway Station.
Dedicated holding zones and specially constructed mela sheds capable of accommodating nearly 30,000 passengers have been prepared to regulate crowd movement efficiently. The waiting areas include air cooled German hangar structures, covered seating arrangements and shaded spaces designed to improve commuter comfort despite the summer weather.
Officials believe these arrangements will minimise congestion while ensuring orderly boarding and deboarding throughout the festival.
Passenger Facilities Receive Major Upgrade
The station has witnessed extensive improvements in public amenities to enhance the overall travel experience for pilgrims arriving from across the country.
The upgraded facilities include:
129 modular toilet units
68 bathing facilities
65 drinking water booths
10 chilled water kiosks
Free Wi-Fi connectivity across station premises
These additions aim to provide essential services to thousands of passengers waiting for connecting trains or returning after participating in the religious procession.
Medical Assistance and Welfare Measures
To ensure immediate healthcare support during emergencies, three medical and first-aid centres will function continuously throughout the festival.
These facilities will operate around the clock with ambulance services stationed nearby for rapid response.
In addition, various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been entrusted with distributing free meals to nearly 3.5 lakh devotees, reflecting coordinated efforts between railway authorities and local organisations to provide humanitarian assistance during the celebrations.
Accessible Travel for Senior Citizens
Keeping inclusivity in focus, East Coast Railway has arranged battery-operated vehicles and wheelchairs for elderly passengers and persons with disabilities.
These mobility services will help pilgrims navigate the station premises comfortably while reducing physical strain during peak crowd conditions.
Simplified Ticket Booking System
To minimise long queues and speed up ticket issuance, railway authorities have considerably expanded booking infrastructure.
The arrangements include:
40 ticket reservation counters
12 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)
32 Mobile Unreserved Ticketing System (MUTS) devices
Additional booking facilities at 21 railway stations across the network
Officials expect these measures to reduce waiting time and improve passenger convenience during the high-demand travel period.
Large-Scale Security Deployment Across Railway Network
Security remains one of the central pillars of the operational plan.
East Coast Railway has coordinated with multiple agencies to deploy more than 2,300 personnel for crowd management and passenger safety.
The deployment includes:
758 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel
1,500 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel
100 Civil Defence volunteers along with Scouts and Guides
The integrated security arrangement is designed to maintain law and order while assisting passengers during emergencies.
Advanced Surveillance to Monitor Crowd Movement
Technology will play a crucial role in ensuring public safety throughout the Rath Yatra.
Authorities have installed:
250 CCTV surveillance cameras
Four aerial drones
Ten sniffer dog squads
Three fire tenders stationed for emergency response
A dedicated command and control War Room will continuously monitor train operations, passenger movement and security inputs, enabling authorities to respond quickly to any incident.
Infrastructure Improvements Completed Before Festival
Ahead of the annual pilgrimage, East Coast Railway completed several infrastructure enhancement projects at Puri Railway Station.
These include improved passenger circulation routes, expanded waiting zones, streamlined entry and exit points and better access management systems designed to prevent overcrowding during peak arrival and departure hours.
Officials said the improvements are part of long-term efforts to modernise one of India’s busiest pilgrimage railway stations.
Railways Issue Safety Advisory
Passengers travelling for the Rath Yatra have been urged to strictly follow railway safety guidelines.
Authorities advised devotees not to travel on train footboards or rooftops, avoid accepting food or beverages from unknown individuals, immediately report unattended luggage to railway staff and verify train schedules only through official railway platforms before starting their journey.
The railway administration has appealed to all passengers to cooperate with security personnel and follow crowd management instructions to ensure a safe, orderly and spiritually fulfilling Rath Yatra for everyone.