Puri: Heavy Tourist Rush Ahead of New Year Celebrations
Puri in Odisha, witnessing a massive influx of tourists and devotees ahead of the New Year, nearly four lakh devotees are expected to visit.
Puri : The famous Jagannath dham, Puri in Odisha is witnessing a massive influx of tourists and devotees ahead of the New Year. Nearly four lakh devotees are expected to visit the holy city for darshan of Lord Jagannath. Keeping this in mind, elaborate security and crowd management arrangements have been put in place.
A special security command has been formed, comprising 10 additional SPs, 33 DSPs, over 300 police officers, and 62 inspectors deployed specifically for security duties. Long barricades have been erected along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to ensure smooth and disciplined movement of devotees.
Devotees will be allowed to enter the temple only through the Singhadwara, while exit will be facilitated through the remaining three gates. For senior citizens and disabled people will have separate queues and special facilities. The temple administration has also increased arrangements for drinking water, temporary shelters, and shoe stands.
The Puri Police have issued a special traffic advisory for New Year visitors, four-wheelers coming from Bhubaneswar will be routed via Batagaon, New Bypass, and Shree Setu to JBPC parking. If JBPC parking gets full, vehicles will be diverted to Jail Road parking or Saradhabali ground. Vehicles coming from Brahmagiri side will proceed via Mangala Ghat, Sterling Chhak, and Beach Road to Yatrika parking. Two-wheelers from Bhubaneswar will be allowed parking at the Municipality Market Complex via Atharanala. Three-wheelers are prohibited from entering the area around the Jagannath Temple and will be allowed only up to designated junctions.
The entire city of Puri, including Bada Danda, Sri Mandir, and the sea beach, will remain under CCTV and drone surveillance. Following a zero-tolerance policy, strict action will be taken against drunk driving, with multiple check posts set up across the city.
Authorities have appealed to devotees and tourists to follow guidelines and cooperate for a safe and peaceful New Year celebration in Puri.
