Puri: July 05: Police administration of the state has made an elaborate security arrangement for this year’s Ratha Yatra to be held tomorrow i.e Wednesday. Director-General of Police KB Singh has personally reviewed the security arrangements in Puri and said, security of the devotees is most important, for which adequate measures have been taken to avert stampede during this grand festival, where lakhs of people will be present in Puri town to witness the Ratha Yatra. Multi-layer security cover will be there around three chariots and grand road on sea beach, Railway station and Puri Bus stand. Air surveillance, land and air patrolling will be intensified. Police sources said Coast Guard and naval vessels would patrol along the Puri coast and police personnel on helicopters would conduct aerial patrolling. No aircraft would be allowed to fly over Puri during the Rath Yatra, More than 145 platoons of armed police, 750 officers of various ranks, 10 platoons of SOG, three companies of Rapid Action Force, two ODRAF teams will be deployed by state police administration.
Besides, hundreds of life guards would be deployed at the sea beach for security of the pilgrims and tourists. Close circuit cameras (CCTVs) have already been installed at several places in the city and police officers would monitor the crowd from the integrated CCTV centre.
