Ratha Khala To Come Under CCTV Surveillance for Rath Yatra Preparations
Puri, April 12: In a significant step to strengthen security ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the sacred Ratha Khala in Puri — where the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are constructed — will now be under round‑the‑clock CCTV monitoring.
Authorities have announced the installation of 12 cameras, including two advanced PTZ (Pan‑Tilt‑Zoom) units, to cover the sprawling construction site.
The surveillance will run from April 20 to July 15, beginning with Akshaya Tritiya, the auspicious day marking the start of chariot construction, until the completion of the process.
Additionally, for the Chandan Yatra festival, 14 cameras (including two PTZ units) will be installed at Chandan Chakada, operational between April 20 and May 10.
All cameras will be linked to the police control room, enabling real‑time monitoring to ensure the safety of devotees, smooth execution of rituals, and incident‑free preparations.
Senior police and temple officials emphasised that this initiative is part of a broader strategy for enhanced security and crowd management during Odisha’s most iconic festival.
