New Year rush in Puri: Security arrangements beefed up at Srimandir, sea beach

With just a few hours left on the clock for the year 2022 to say goodbye, a large number of devotees, pilgrims and tourists have started flocking to the holy city of Puri to have darshan of the deities in Srimandir.

On Saturday, the last day of the year, the temple witnessed a huge rush than the previous days and it is expected that the rush would multiply on January 1. Keeping this in view, the temple administration and the police have taken several measures to ensure hassle free darshan for the devotees. 

While the barricade has been extended from Marchikote Square to Market Square, a three-tier security arrangement has been in force. Similarly, a separate line has been made for students and senior citizens. 

Moreover, the administration has made special arrangements for those above 70 years of age. 

Similarly, special steps have been taken for traffic management. To lessen the traffic on the Grand road, the administration has directed shop owners along the sides of the stretch from the Lion’s gate to the Hospital Square to close their shops for two days. 

At the same time, special security arrangements have been made on the sea beach to avoid any drowning like mishap as chances of such incidents are high on such occasions.

(Reported by Madhusudan Mishra from Puri, OTV)