Indus Valley Times

By Akshya Rout

Puri/Odisha, Oct 23 : With Puri preparing for the arrival of Habisyalis to observe the sacred month of Kartika, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr Satyajit Nayak, IPS, on Friday reviewed security arrangements at three designated Habisyali accommodation centres and stressed the need for heightened vigilance, effective coordination and the safety and convenience of devotees.

 The inspection was part of the preparations to ensure that women devotees observing the traditional Kartika Brata could stay in a safe, peaceful and orderly environment during their religious observance. Dr Nayak was accompanied by Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh, IPS, during the visit.

During the inspection, the IGP assessed the facilities at the accommodation centres and reviewed the preparedness of the district police and other agencies concerned.

The visit focused on the security arrangements, the deployment of personnel and the coordination required to manage the anticipated movement of devotees during the month-long religious period. The authorities are preparing to ensure that Habisyalis can follow their daily religious practices without inconvenience while maintaining public order across the temple town.

As part of the security plan, five platoons of police personnel will be deployed round the clock across the three designated Habisyali accommodation centres from October 26 to November 24, 2026.

 The deployment is intended to ensure continuous surveillance, regulate movement within and around the centres and prevent any untoward incident. Police personnel will remain alert throughout the period to respond promptly to security concerns and assist devotees whenever required.

Apart from the dedicated deployment at the accommodation centres, more than 20 platoons of police personnel will be deployed for security and management duties at various locations across Puri.

 Special attention will be given to the Shree Jagannath Temple and its surrounding areas, where a large number of devotees are expected to gather during Kartika Brata. The arrangements will focus on maintaining security, facilitating the orderly movement of pilgrims and preventing overcrowding at important religious and public locations.

Crowd management will form a key component of the overall security strategy. Police personnel will be deployed at vulnerable and busy points to monitor the movement of devotees and help prevent congestion.

 The arrangements are intended to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, particularly during periods of heavy footfall, while ensuring that emergency access routes remain clear.

The police will also coordinate with the relevant authorities to address situations that could affect public safety or cause inconvenience to devotees.

Traffic management will be another major priority during the religious observance. With the arrival of pilgrims likely to increase pressure on roads leading to the temple and other important locations, personnel will regulate vehicular movement and facilitate the smooth passage of pilgrims and emergency services.

The arrangements are aimed at reducing congestion, maintaining orderly traffic flow and ensuring that devotees can reach their destinations without unnecessary difficulty.

The police control room will play a crucial role in coordinating field-level deployments and monitoring the overall security situation.

 It will facilitate communication among personnel deployed at different locations and support a prompt response to emergencies or emerging situations. Continuous monitoring and effective communication are expected to strengthen operational coordination and help the police respond quickly to any security or public-order challenge.

During the review, Dr Nayak emphasised the importance of continuous vigilance, disciplined deployment and close coordination among police personnel and other agencies.

The focus, he stressed, would remain on safeguarding devotees, maintaining peace and ensuring public convenience throughout the Kartika Brata period.

The security arrangements are also intended to ensure that any emerging issue is addressed promptly and that the religious observance proceeds without disruption.

SP Prateek Singh and the Puri district police team are overseeing the necessary arrangements for the effective implementation of the security plan. The district police will coordinate deployments and monitor conditions at the accommodation centres, the temple and other important locations throughout the period.

Kartika Brata holds special religious significance for devotees who visit Puri to observe the month through prayer, worship and other traditional practices.

The arrival of Habisyalis makes adequate accommodation, security and public-service arrangements particularly important. The police deployment is intended to support the peaceful observance of the festival while balancing security requirements with the needs of pilgrims and local residents.

The Central Range police reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful Kartika Brata in Puri.

Through round-the-clock security at the Habisyali accommodation centres, additional deployment across the town and coordinated crowd and traffic management, the police aim to provide a secure environment for devotees and enable them to observe their religious traditions with peace of mind.