Full-scale mock drill conducted ahead of Snana Purnima in Puri for crowd management and devotee safety

In anticipation of the upcoming Snana Yatra, one of the most significant and crowded rituals of the Jagannath Temple, the Puri district administration conducted a coordinated mock drill to ensure effective crowd control, emergency response, and smooth conduct of the grand festival. The simulation was carried out with the joint participation of multiple departments and agencies involved in managing temple events.

The mock drill, organized under the supervision of the Integrated Control Room located at the Town Police Station premises, was aimed at testing readiness for managing the expected surge in devotee footfall this year.

Officials said that the number of devotees arriving for Snana Purnima, which marks the ceremonial bathing of the deities, is likely to be significantly higher than in previous years, prompting the administration to refine logistics and disaster-response mechanisms.

During the drill, officers simulated real-time scenarios that could arise during the Snana Yatra, including medical emergencies, stampedes, fire incidents, and route blockages. The focus was on assessing the coordination between police, fire services, the health department, the temple administration, and volunteer teams.

The drill included a demonstration of swift rescue and relief measures in the event of any untoward incident. Medical response teams set up temporary aid stations, and fire units rehearsed evacuation procedures. Law enforcement simulated crowd movement management, while drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring were tested to track real-time situations.

“This mock drill is an essential part of our disaster preparedness strategy for major events like Snana Yatra. It helps us identify gaps in planning and improve response coordination,” said a senior police officer overseeing the operation.

Devotee convenience has been prioritized in this year’s festival plan. Crowd flow management, barrier placements, water and shade arrangements, and queue systems were all part of the comprehensive test run.

Authorities have also issued an appeal to devotees to follow guidelines, cooperate with police and volunteers, and make use of official services during their visit. 

The administration will analyze data and feedback from this mock drill to finalize its deployment and safety strategies for Snana Purnima, which is considered the ceremonial beginning of the annual Rath Yatra festivities.

“As lakhs of devotees are likely to come to Puri on the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima, we have conducted a mock drill along with NDRF and other stake holders so that we can respond and counter if any devotees fall sick, create green corridor and other emergency situations,” informed Puri additional SP, Sushil Mishra.