Rath Yatra Across India: Elaborate security, surveillance and traffic management arrangements have been put in place across the country for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, with Odisha leading
the preparations for the world-famous chariot festival in Puri. Authorities in Delhi, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Jharkhand have also issued detailed traffic advisories and security plans to facilitate the smooth conduct of processions.
Odisha Gears Up For Grand Rath Yatra
The Odisha government has completed extensive preparations for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, scheduled for July 16 with around 13,000 police personnel deployed alongside AI-enabled surveillance systems and comprehensive traffic management measures to ensure a smooth and incident-free festival.
The annual chariot festival will witness Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra being ceremonially brought out from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple and taken in a grand procession along the Badadanda to the Gundicha Temple. The ceremonial Pahandi procession, during which the sibling deities are carried from the temple to their respective chariots, is scheduled from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. After the horses and charioteers are fitted to the chariots, the pulling of the three chariots will begin at 4 pm.
Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said nearly 13,000 police personnel, including 19 senior IPS officers, have been deployed for the festival. The security arrangement includes personnel from the Odisha Police, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Special Tactical Unit commandos, Dog Squad, Bomb Disposal Squad, Marine Police and the Indian Coast Guard as reported by ETV Bharat.
To facilitate pilgrims, authorities have created parking facilities at 30 locations, including 22 parking zones for four-wheelers, four for two-wheelers and four for buses. Separate parking areas have been earmarked for pass holders and non-pass holders.
Shuttle bus services and free auto-rickshaw services will transport devotees from bus parking areas to the Badadanda. Traffic authorities have installed 1,645 traffic signages and LED information displays along highways, besides introducing a bulk SMS alert system to provide real-time traffic and crowd updates.
A total of 73 traffic assistance centres have been established across Puri district. Dedicated assistance posts at Talabania and Malatipatpur bus stands will provide support to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Several roads leading to the Jagannath Temple, including Medical Square, Jhadeswari Square, Lokanath Temple and the Solakhia Banyan area, will remain designated as no-vehicle zones during the festival. Senior IPS officers will supervise traffic management round the clock in three shifts.
Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for the 48th Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, organised by Shri Neelachala Seva Sangh, on July 16. The procession will commence at 2 pm from Shri Jagannath Temple, Hauz Khas Village, and proceed along Aurobindo Marg, concluding around 6.30 pm.
Traffic will be regulated on both carriageways of Aurobindo Marg, from the IIT Flyover (Outer Ring Road) to the AIIMS Flyover Loop (Ring Road) between 2 PM and 7 PM, and commuters are expected to face congestion on Aurobindo Marg and adjoining roads. People travelling towards railway stations, the airport, hospitals and nearby areas have been advised to plan their journeys in advance.
The advisory recommends the following diversions:
- From MG Road/Mehrauli towards AIIMS and New Delhi: Motorists should take a right turn from IIT Flyover onto the Outer Ring Road and use August Kranti Marg or JB Tito Marg. Alternatively, they can turn left from IIT Flyover and use Africa Avenue Road via the IIT Gate Flyover.
- From New Delhi towards MG Road, Mehrauli and Gurugram: Commuters should take a right turn at the AIIMS Flyover Loop onto Ring Road and use Africa Avenue Road, or take a left turn and proceed via August Kranti Marg or JB Tito Marg near Moolchand.
Hyderabad Announces Diversions For Two Processions
Hyderabad Traffic Police has announced diversions and alternative routes for two Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra processions scheduled across the city on July 16.
The first procession, organised by ISKCON Abids, will begin at 11 am from NTR Stadium near Indira Park and conclude at the Exhibition Grounds around 5 pm.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, the procession will pass through Dharna Chowk, Ashoknagar Crossroads, RTC Crossroads, Narayanaguda Crossroads, Himayathnagar Y Junction, Liberty, Basheerbagh, BJR Circle, SBI Gunfoundry, Chermas, Taj Mahal Junction, Bata T Junction, GPO Circle, Yusuf & Company, MJ Market Crossroads and Malakunta.
Traffic police said vehicular movement along the route would be regulated, halted or diverted depending on the movement of the procession.
The second procession will be taken out from the Jagannath Temple, Road No 12, Banjara Hills, between 12 noon and 8 pm.
Vehicles travelling from Masab Tank, Lakdikapul and Khairatabad towards Road No 12, Film Nagar, Shaikpet and Jubilee Hills have been advised to use Road No 1, Road No 10, Zaheernagar, NTR Bhavan and Jubilee Hills Checkpost, or take the ACB Office bylane via MLA Colony, Omega Hospital and Apollo Junction.
Traffic coming from Shaikpet, Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills, Tolichowki, Madhapur, Hitec City and Roads No. 45 and 36 should use the Jubilee Hills Checkpost-NTR Bhavan-Road No 10-Zaheernagar route.
Police have urged commuters to follow updates on the Hyderabad Traffic Police’s social media platforms and contact the traffic helpline 9010203626 incase of emergencies.
Kanpur Enforces Traffic Diversions
In Kanpur, traffic diversions will remain in force from 2 pm to 10 pm on Thursday in view of the Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsav. In the West Zone, traffic from Bithoor Tiraha (Kalyanpur) will be diverted at Vari Puliya towards Indiranagar Road. Vehicles coming from Yash Kothari/Mainavati Marg will not be allowed to proceed towards Singhpur Tiraha via Bithoor Tiraha/Kalyanpur, and will instead be diverted through Mainavati Marg, as reported by The Times of India.
In the Central Zone, traffic from Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital/Paliwal Tiraha will be diverted via Gol Chauraha and Devki Cinema, while vehicles from Fazalganj Chauraha will not be allowed towards Paliwal and will instead be diverted through Mariampur Chauraha, Chain Factory and Khoya Mandi.
Authorities have appealed to citizens to cooperate with traffic personnel. The Traffic Control Room can be contacted at 9305104340, while the Green Corridor Cell helpline is 9454402413.
Jharkhand Celebrates Rath Yatra
The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra is being celebrated across Jharkhand, with the main festivities centred at the historic Jagannathpur Temple in Dhurwa, Ranchi.
Religious rituals began early in the morning, and after the deities are ceremonially placed on the chariot in the afternoon, the Rath Yatra will proceed towards Mausibari at 5:01 pm.
The district administration has made extensive security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance and the deployment of a large number of security personnel across the fair grounds.
In Hazaribagh, ISKCON will conduct the Rath Yatra on a 40-foot technologically advanced chariot developed with the support of IIT experts. A cultural troupe from Kolkata will also present special performances during the celebrations.
Special traffic diversions have been implemented at major Jagannath temples across the state, including Seraikela, Dumka and Jamshedpur, to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees and vehicles.
