Bhubaneswar: In a move to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, the Odisha Police have decided to deploy private security guards to manage parking facilities in the pilgrim city. While police personnel will oversee traffic management, the private guards will be exclusively responsible for operating parking lots. Officials stated that this arrangement is designed to ease the burden on the police force, enforce parking regulations, and assist visitors during the grand festival.
Deployment Details
A senior police officer elaborated on the scale of the arrangement. “Lakhs of devotees with thousands of vehicles will converge in Puri. To minimize manpower pressure on police, we have decided to deploy 350 private security guards, including 30 supervisors, at designated parking lots and other critical points from July 13 to July 27,” the officer said. The guards will be tasked with directing incoming and outgoing vehicles, ensuring orderly parking, and preventing bottlenecks at entry and exit points. They will also check permits or passes, verify vehicle identification, and stop unauthorized access.
Role Beyond Traffic Management
“Their role is not just traffic management but also vigilance. Guards will patrol the parking lots to detect suspicious activity, respond to disputes, and escalate matters to senior police officers when necessary,” the police officer added. Officials emphasized that the guards will also act as first responders during emergencies. They will assist in cases of accidents, medical crises, or fires and help with evacuation and rescue operations. “We want visitors to feel safe and supported. These guards will be trained to provide directions, help people locate vehicles, and extend first aid when required,” another police officer involved in planning said.
Accountability and Coordination
The guards will maintain logs, report incidents, and document observations to ensure accountability. They will coordinate closely with police and festival management teams to maintain discipline and security. “Parking chaos often triggers larger crowd issues. By streamlining this aspect, we are indirectly contributing to overall safety during Rath Yatra,” the senior officer said. According to police authorities, the deployment is part of a broader strategy to manage the massive influx of pilgrims. “Every measure — from traffic control to sanitation — is being taken to uphold the sanctity of the festival. Parking management may seem routine, but it is critical to ensuring that devotees experience the yatra without stress or disorder,” the officer added.
