Bahuda Yatra 2026: Odisha CM Orders Strict Security and Crowd Control

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BHUBANESWAR, July 22, 2026 (Report- Rupashree Swetapadma Mohanty): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led a review meeting today at the Lok Seva Bhawan to check preparations for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra. The festival will take place on July 24. He instructed government officials to prioritise crowd management and the clear flow of information. He also asked all visitors to strictly follow the rules set by the local administration and the police. 

Security and Crowd Management

The Chief Minister directed the police department to maintain strict law and order. He stated that the government will not make any compromises regarding security measures. He asked the officers to use scientific methods to monitor crowd density during the festival. The police will use the Integrated Command and Control system to analyze CCTV footage. If the system detects a crowd issue, officials must send information immediately to the specific location to solve the problem quickly.

Review of Past Events

During the meeting, officials reviewed the events from the start of the Rath Yatra until today. They noted that the temple administration completed all rituals on schedule. Weather conditions included heavy rain and high temperatures. However, government staff, police officers, and temple servitors continued their daily duties without disruption. The Chief Minister thanked the servitors and government employees for their teamwork and consistent efforts.
District and police officials in Puri remain active on the ground. Senior officers personally supervise major events like the Pahandi, the chariot pulling, the Dakshina Moda, and the Adapa Mandap Darshan. 

Upcoming Rituals

The city of Puri will soon host several major events. These include the Bahuda Yatra, the Suna Besha, and the Niladri Bije. The Chief Minister instructed the administration to carefully manage these upcoming events. He directed the teams to ensure all temple rituals proceed smoothly and on time.

Financial Assistance for Deceased Visitors

The Chief Minister addressed the recent deaths of two visitors. These individuals died due to health issues during the initial Rath Yatra. He announced a financial assistance package for their families. The government will provide 10 lakh rupees to each family. The state will release these funds directly from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. 

Meeting Attendees

Several top officials attended the review meeting and shared their inputs on the festival management. Sri Mandir Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee presented a detailed report on the Rath Yatra operations. Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania shared the police preparation plans. Director General of Fire Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi and Additional Director General of Police for Modernization Soumendra Priyadarshi also explained their specific security arrangements.
Law and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Chief Minister's Advisor Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and Development Commissioner D.K. Singh participated in the discussion and provided their suggestions for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha.