Ahead of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 16, a multi-agency mock drill was conducted in Puri on Tuesday to strengthen emergency response, crowd management and disaster preparedness measures for the grand festival, which is expected to draw lakhs of devotees.
The exercise involved personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Fire Service, Scouts and Guides, and other agencies to test coordination and preparedness for handling emergencies during the nine-day festival.
Scout and Guide volunteer Raj Pattnaik said extensive arrangements have been made by the administration and volunteers to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Rath Yatra.
“I am involved in serving Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra. The turnout is expected to be huge this time, anywhere between 10 and 15 lakh people or even more. We facilitate the creation of a green corridor to ensure ambulances reach medical facilities quickly. The district administration and state government provide immense support, along with Rover-Rangers and Scouts & Guides,” Pattnaik told ANI.
He said volunteers often have to navigate through dense crowds to clear routes for emergency vehicles.
“We often have to gently push through the crowd to ensure the ambulance can reach the medical facility first. We have had three days to prepare and are fully ready,” he said.
Emphasising the dedication of volunteers, Pattnaik said, “We believe every life is important, and we are even willing to sacrifice our own lives for this cause.”
The mock drill formed part of the final preparedness measures ahead of the festival, with multiple agencies reviewing their emergency response systems and crowd management strategies.
The 2026 Jagannath Rath Yatra will begin on July 16 with the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple. The nine-day festival will conclude with the Bahuda Yatra, or return journey, on July 24, while the deities are scheduled to re-enter the main temple on July 27.
Meanwhile, preparations for the three grand chariots have entered the final stage. Artisans and servitors are working on the remaining structural and decorative work for the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The three chariots are newly constructed every year as part of the festival tradition. Maharana Sebayats involved in the Rath Nirman Karya said the construction work is being carried out according to traditional customs and rituals under the supervision of designated servitors.
The construction process began after customary rituals on Akshaya Tritiya and involved the preparation and assembly of the three chariots for the annual procession.
(ANI Inputs)
