Puri: The entire pilgrim city of Puri will be declared a no-fly zone during Rath Yatra, stated DGP Odisha KB Singh at the coordination meeting organised here on Monday for the upcoming Rath Yatra. He stated this in regard to the discussion on security measures that topped the agenda of the meeting besides discussing crowd management, traffic control, law and order, smooth and hassle free conduct of rituals, security cover for VIPs and several other issues.
“We are trying to secure the festival from all angles. We are also strengthening coastal security. Special tactical and SOG units will be deployed and they will provide the necessary fire power in case of any emergency,” Singh said.
As many as 125 platoons police force, 10 commandants, 200 senior police officers, 500 Sub-Inspectors, and 2000 Home Guards will provide the necessary security cover for the temple and ensure smooth proceedings of the rituals during the 9-day long annual sojourn of the three deities scheduled from June 25.
ADG Binayananda Jha has been given the charge to oversee the security management while the Central range IG Soumendra Priyadarshi will be in-charge of security of the temple and crowd management while Sanjeev Panda will take over responsibility of traffic control.