Bhubaneswar, January 14, 2026: In a decisive move to ensure safety and smooth conduct of one of India’s largest religious gatherings, the Odisha government has started preparations for this year’s Puri Rath Yatra a full seven months in advance. The early planning comes in the wake of last year’s festival, which was marred by a tragic stampede that claimed three lives and injured several others.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired a high-level preparatory meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the roadmap for this year’s festival, scheduled to be held on July 16, 2026. She emphasized the need to learn from the lapses of previous years and stressed meticulous, error-free planning. “I have urged all the departments to identify errors from the Rath Yatra of previous years and implement corrective measures. Seven months are left for the mega event, during which one can make error-free planning,” Garg told reporters after the meeting.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including DGP YB Khurania, DG of Fire Services Sudhansu Sarangi, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Arabinda Padhee, Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, and Puri SP Prateek Singh. Traditionally, the Chief Secretary holds such state-level preparatory meetings four months ahead of the festival. This year, however, officials decided on an earlier timeline to avoid any repetition of past errors.

Learning from Past Mistakes

The 2025 Rath Yatra witnessed a tragic stampede in which three devotees lost their lives. Delays in the chariot pulling further aggravated public resentment. The lapses prompted massive public outrage and forced Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to issue a formal apology. According to officials, the early preparatory meeting is designed to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and ensure a seamless experience for millions of devotees.

The focus of the preparatory discussions was comprehensive, covering key areas such as crowd management, sanitation, water supply, security, traffic control, and overall infrastructure. “As the crowd swells every year during Rath Yatra, the perpetration should be augmented proportionally. We cannot repeat the same formula and the same yardstick for the management of a mega event like the Rath Yatra. It should be dynamic and accommodating,” a senior official said.

Last year, the festival saw participation of approximately 10 lakh devotees, highlighting the scale and complexity of organizing such an event.

Logistics and Infrastructure

The Rath Yatra chariots require 865 logs annually. Out of these, 47 logs were already available from the previous year. The administration has started arranging for the remaining 818 logs, with the Divisional Forest Officer of Nayagarh overseeing the collection. Proper chariot construction and maintenance are crucial to ensuring the safety of the procession, particularly given the tragic incidents of the previous year.

Chief Secretary Garg, who had also headed the inquiry into the 2025 stampede, instructed DGP Khurania to implement measures to avoid excess crowding near the chariots during the procession. Enhanced policing and crowd control strategies are being developed, including deployment of additional security personnel along key routes and choke points.

Crowd Management and Public Safety Measures

Several changes are being planned to ensure crowd safety. Officials have decided to discontinue free food distribution on the Grand Road during the festival, as such arrangements had previously led to overcrowding. Additionally, the administration plans to allocate parking spaces for approximately 500 vehicles to streamline traffic flow in the city during the festival.

Sanitation and water supply were also key discussion points during the preparatory meeting. Temporary drinking water stations and portable toilets will be set up at strategic locations along the procession route. Fire services have been instructed to maintain readiness to respond to emergencies, while emergency medical teams and first-aid centers will be positioned along the entire Rath Yatra route.

The temple administration has also been asked to coordinate closely with civil and law enforcement authorities to monitor crowd density in real time using surveillance systems. The deployment of volunteers and trained marshals is planned to guide devotees and prevent stampedes or bottlenecks along the procession path.

Strategic Planning for a Safe Festival

Officials stressed that early planning allows ample time to identify potential risks and implement preventive measures. By commencing preparations seven months in advance, authorities aim to simulate different scenarios, including emergency evacuations, medical contingencies, and crowd dispersal strategies. These measures are being designed to ensure the safety of both the devotees and the chariots during the highly anticipated event.

In addition to safety protocols, the administration is also focusing on improving the overall experience for pilgrims. Efforts are underway to enhance infrastructure along the Grand Road and surrounding areas, including better lighting, clearly marked pathways, and easy access to amenities. Coordination with local businesses and community organizations will also play a crucial role in maintaining order and providing services to the influx of devotees.

A New Approach to Festival Management

The Odisha government’s proactive approach underscores a shift toward more structured, data-driven management of large-scale events. By analyzing past incidents, identifying vulnerabilities, and planning interventions well in advance, authorities hope to set a benchmark for safe and organized religious festivals across the country.

Chief Secretary Garg emphasized that zero-error planning is the top priority. “We do not want to take any chance. Every department should start drawing up foolproof plans from now on,” she said, signaling the government’s commitment to preventing tragedies and ensuring the devotion and festivities of millions remain unhindered.

Looking Ahead

With seven months to go before the Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha is setting the stage for a meticulously organized festival. Enhanced security arrangements, improved crowd management, robust infrastructure planning, and the lessons learned from 2025 aim to ensure a seamless and safe event. The administration’s proactive measures are expected to reassure devotees, pilgrims, and local residents alike, making this year’s Rath Yatra a celebration of faith, tradition, and well-managed public safety.