Bhubaneswar: With the annual Rath Yatra 2026 just around the corner, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday issued a series of strict directives to ensure the smooth, safe, and disciplined conduct of the world-famous festival in Puri. Chairing the final high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasised tighter regulation of cordon passes, effective crowd management, enhanced security arrangements, and the safety of millions of devotees expected to attend the grand event.
Stressing that there should be no room for lapses, Majhi instructed officials to maintain seamless coordination among all departments and temple servitors to ensure the festival is conducted without disruption.
No Extra Cordon Passes Beyond Prescribed Limit
One of the key decisions taken during the meeting was the strict regulation of cordon passes, which allow access to restricted areas during Rath Yatra rituals.
The Chief Minister directed the Puri District Collector to ensure that not a single additional cordon pass is issued beyond the approved quota.
He made it clear that passes should be granted only to servitors and government officials directly involved in temple rituals and ceremonial responsibilities. No unauthorised individual will be allowed access to restricted zones.
Unauthorised Entry to Be Handled Politely
Majhi also instructed security personnel to deal with unauthorised entry in a dignified and professional manner.
If anyone is found entering restricted areas without valid authorisation, officials have been directed to escort them out politely without causing embarrassment or humiliation.
To strengthen enforcement, the Chief Minister ordered specialised training for officers and security personnel deployed for cordon management so they can effectively regulate crowd movement and restricted access during the festival.
Zero Tolerance for Misconduct Against Women Devotees
Taking a firm stand on the safety of women pilgrims, the Chief Minister directed authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of harassment or misbehaviour.
He instructed police and administrative officials to initiate strict legal action against anyone found misbehaving with women devotees during the Rath Yatra.
The administration has also been asked to ensure that adequate security personnel are deployed at sensitive locations to provide a safe environment for all pilgrims.
Preparations in Final Stage
Reviewing the progress of preparations, Majhi said arrangements for the festival are nearly complete, with special attention being given to:
- Crowd management
- Traffic regulation
- Healthcare services
- Sanitation and cleanliness
- Drinking water supply
- Electricity and power backup
- Road infrastructure
- Railway coordination
- Emergency response mechanisms
Officials have been directed to ensure that all essential services remain fully operational throughout the festival.
Lessons from Last Year
The state government is making every effort to prevent a repeat of any disruptions witnessed during last year’s Rath Yatra.
Authorities have been instructed to closely monitor all arrangements and address potential issues proactively to ensure smooth movement of devotees and uninterrupted conduct of temple rituals.
CM Calls for Teamwork
Addressing government officials and temple servitors, the Chief Minister said the success of the Rath Yatra depends on close coordination among all stakeholders.
“The eyes of the entire world are on the Puri Rath Yatra. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the festival is conducted smoothly while guaranteeing the safety of every devotee,” he said.
Majhi also praised the dedication of the temple servitors, noting that their commitment has ensured the uninterrupted performance of Lord Jagannath’s rituals over the years. He expressed confidence that the same spirit of service would continue during this year’s festival.
The high-level review meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Ministers, Law Minister, Health Minister, local MLAs, the Director General of Police (DGP), the Chief Secretary, and senior officials from various departments responsible for managing the annual chariot festival.
