Puri stampede: Administrative probe to complete within stipulated time, says Development Commissioner

In the wake of the tragic stampede at Saradhabali in Puri that claimed the lives of three devotees during the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities, the Odisha government has taken strict and swift action, both administratively and operationally. The incident, which triggered widespread concern over crowd management and security preparedness, is now under the scanner of a high-level probe.

The administrative investigation will be led by Anu Garg, the Development Commissioner of Odisha , who has been entrusted with the responsibility of completing the inquiry within one month. This decision underscores the state government’s seriousness in identifying the lapses that led to the mishap and ensuring such tragedies do not recur.

“30 days time has been provided to us; we will start our work soon,” said Garg on Monday.

As immediate fallout of the incident, the Odisha government on Sunday transferred the Puri Collector and the Superintendent of Police (SP). In addition, two police officers, who were reportedly in charge of security and crowd control during the event, have been suspended pending inquiry.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a complete overhaul of the remaining Rath Yatra proceedings, directing officials to ensure streamlined execution of the rituals and public arrangements with utmost safety and discipline.

In a significant administrative reshuffle aimed at strengthening the on-ground execution of the remaining rituals, senior IAS officer Arvind Agrawal has been appointed to oversee the entire management of the Rath Yatra while ADG (Law and Order) Soumendra Priyadarshi will now be in charge of police operations during the festival.

The tragic incident occurred during a peak moment at Saradhabali near the Gundicha Temple, where a massive crowd had gathered in the wee hours of Sunday. In the absence of adequate control and coordination, a sudden rush led to a stampede, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of three devotees and injuries to several others.

In response, the Chief Minister’s Office has not only sought a comprehensive report but has also issued fresh directives to ensure real-time crowd monitoring, deployment of additional forces, and clear entry-exit corridors for devotees participating in the Rath Yatra.

The government’s strong response, marked by high-level suspensions, transfers, and rapid initiation of inquiry, reflects its intent to restore public faith in the administration's handling of large-scale religious events.

The investigation led by Anu Garg will focus on identifying administrative lapses, security flaws, and coordination failures. The findings are expected to shape future protocols for mass religious gatherings in Odisha.