The Odisha government has directed the Puri district administration to significantly reduce the number of cordon passes issued during the upcoming Rath Yatra to ensure better crowd management around the chariots. Cordon passes, which grant proximity access to the inner and outer cordons of the chariots, are typically issued to government personnel, journalists, servitors, volunteers, and others.
Focus on crowd management
A senior government officer stated on Sunday, "Effective and flawless crowd management is our priority, and as a precautionary measure to prevent incidents like the stampede last year, which claimed three lives outside Gundicha temple on June 29, we have decided to regulate the cordon passes this time to ensure decongestion near the chariots." The officer's remarks came a day after Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed Rath Yatra arrangements.
Previous challenges
Traditionally, the district collector issues common passes valid for both Rath Yatra and Bahuda celebrations to a wide range of people, including officials, political representatives, temple servitors, media personnel, volunteers, and cultural performers. These passes allow privileged access to the cordon area surrounding the chariots. In 2025, the festival faced unprecedented challenges when unrestricted pass distribution led to severe crowding near Lord Jagannath's chariot, and the ceremonial chariot-pulling ritual had to be resumed the next day, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and devotees over mismanagement.
Responding to a recent RTI query, the Puri administration revealed that 2,500 cordon passes and 22,250 other passes were issued during last year's Rath Yatra, with Rs 87,900 spent on printing and distribution.
Proposed limits
A police official suggested stricter limits: a maximum of 300 people, mostly servitors, in the inner cordon and 200 in the outer cordon. "Every year, passes are distributed indiscriminately to volunteers, VIPs, politicians, and their workers, creating crowd control issues and endangering the security of this world-famous festival. This misuse must stop," said Debasis Das, a lawyer in Puri.
Strict compliance
The administration has assured strict compliance with the government's directive. "Access will be restricted to only those whose presence is essential for the ceremony's conduct," a district official said. He added that multiple enforcement teams will be deployed to verify credentials and identity documents before allowing entry into the cordon area.
