Puri: With the world-famous Rath Yatra fast approaching, Odisha Police on Monday conducted a large-scale mock drill in Puri to strengthen security arrangements, improve coordination among various teams, and ensure the smooth and safe pulling of the three sacred chariots during the annual festival.
The exercise was organised along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), where lakhs of devotees are expected to gather for the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The mock drill focused on crowd management, chariot movement, emergency response, and seamless communication between officials stationed at different locations.
Symbolic Chariots Used During Drill
To simulate the actual Rath Yatra procession, police used three jeeps as symbolic representations of the three chariots—Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath, and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra. The vehicles were moved along the designated route in the same sequence as the real procession, allowing security personnel to familiarise themselves with operational procedures.
Officials demonstrated how different teams would coordinate during the movement of each chariot, ensuring that devotees remain at a safe distance while allowing the procession to proceed without disruption.
Focus on Crowd Management
A major objective of the exercise was to strengthen crowd management strategies, as the Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of pilgrims and tourists from across India and abroad every year. Police personnel rehearsed the deployment of clearance teams, dragging teams, and cordon teams, each assigned specific responsibilities to maintain order around the chariots.
The clearance team practised removing obstacles from the procession route, while the dragging team coordinated the movement of the symbolic chariots. Meanwhile, the cordon team demonstrated how it would create secure perimeters around the chariots to regulate the movement of devotees and prevent overcrowding.
Communication Protocols Reviewed
Authorities also tested communication channels between officials stationed atop the chariots and police personnel on the ground. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that instructions can be relayed instantly during the procession, enabling quick responses to any emerging situation.
Senior police officers, magistrates, and administrative officials participated in the exercise to review standard operating procedures (SOPs) and understand their individual responsibilities during the festival.
Part of Extensive Security Preparations
The mock drill forms part of Odisha Police’s comprehensive security preparations for Rath Yatra. Officials said such rehearsals help identify operational gaps, improve coordination among multiple agencies, and enhance the overall response mechanism before the actual event.
Besides police personnel, various administrative departments are working together to ensure smooth traffic management, emergency medical services, crowd regulation, and public safety throughout the festival.
Authorities have stated that multiple mock drills and coordination exercises will continue in the run-up to Rath Yatra to ensure that the grand festival is conducted peacefully and without any untoward incidents.
