Puri: In a decisive step to manage massive crowds and prioritise devotee safety, the Odisha government has slashed the number of cordon passes for the upcoming Rath Yatra by half compared to last year. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan made the announcement, stating that the decision was taken on the direct instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi.
The move is aimed at reducing congestion in sensitive zones and making crowd management more effective. “Following the Chief Minister’s directions, we have reduced the number of VIP and VVIP Rath Cordon Passes to half this year,” the Minister said. “This will help in better crowd control to a significant extent.”
Strict restrictions have already been imposed on unauthorised entry into cordoned areas. Experienced officers have been assigned key responsibilities for crowd management. Multiple rounds of coordination meetings have been held with all Sevayats to ensure seamless execution of the festival.
The Minister expressed confidence that with everyone’s cooperation, the Rath Yatra will be conducted in a smooth, disciplined, and incident-free manner.
In the final Rath coordination meeting held on the 6th, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had stressed the need for an orderly, safe, and accident-free procession, with special focus on devotee security. As a result, unauthorised entry into the inner cordon around the Rath has been completely banned.
The government’s proactive approach reflects its strong commitment to balancing the spiritual fervour of the festival with the highest standards of public safety.