In a major administrative move ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra 2026, the Odisha government has deployed 13 senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers as Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in Puri to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the annual festival.
The General Administration and Public Grievance Department issued an official notification on Wednesday, reinforcing the state’s preparations for the grand event that attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year.
Officers to Remain Stationed in Puri for Over a Month
According to the government order, the designated officers will remain stationed in Puri from June 25 to July 27, 2026. Their deployment is aimed at strengthening field-level administration and providing additional support to the district authorities during the festival period.
The officers have been directed to report to the Collector and District Magistrate of Puri on June 25 for duty allocation, briefing sessions and operational coordination.
The month-long deployment covers the entire Rath Yatra period, including the return journey of the deities and other associated rituals that witness massive public participation.
Key Responsibilities During Rath Yatra
The OAS officers will play a crucial role in managing various aspects of the festival, including:
- Crowd management and public movement
- Inter-departmental coordination
- Traffic and transport monitoring
- Law and order support
- Emergency response coordination
- Festival logistics and infrastructure management
- Pilgrim assistance and grievance redressal
- Monitoring of public services and civic arrangements
Officials said the deployment will help improve decision-making at the ground level and ensure quick resolution of issues during peak crowd periods.
Senior Officers Assigned as OSDs
The list of officers deputed for Rath Yatra duty includes officials from multiple government departments and public sector institutions.
Among those deployed are:
- Subhananda Mohapatra – Housing & Urban Development Department
- Suvash Chandra Nathsharma – Special Relief Commissioner’s Office
- Bijaya Kumar Swain – Sports & Youth Services Department
- Niti Ranjan Sen – Odisha State Seeds Corporation
- Debasish Patnaik – Excise Department
Other officers assigned to special duty include:
- Subrat Kumar Behera
- Jitendra Kumar Nayak
- Bijay Kumar Nayak
- Subrat Kumar Jena
- Bijaya Kumar Behera
- Kishor Kumar Panda
- Manoj Kumar Behera
- Hemanta Bharimal
Each officer will be entrusted with specific administrative responsibilities to support the overall festival management framework.
Focus on Crowd Control and Coordination
Rath Yatra is one of the largest religious gatherings in the country, with millions of devotees expected to visit Puri to witness the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Given the scale of the event, effective crowd management remains one of the government’s top priorities. The deployment of senior officers is expected to strengthen coordination between departments such as police, health, transport, fire services, municipal authorities and disaster management agencies.
Officials believe the additional administrative support will help ensure smoother movement of pilgrims, better monitoring of essential services and enhanced public safety during the festival.
Government Intensifies Preparations for Grand Festival
The deployment of OAS officers forms part of a broader strategy by the Odisha government to ensure a safe, orderly and well-coordinated Rath Yatra 2026.
With preparations gathering momentum, the administration is focusing on infrastructure readiness, security arrangements, traffic regulation, sanitation, emergency healthcare services and pilgrim facilities to handle the expected surge in visitors.
The move reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining efficient management standards during one of Odisha’s most significant religious and cultural events.
