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With two lakh devotees attending the previous night, officials remain on high alert to ensure public safety during this major religious event.
As the sacred city of Puri welcomes more than 15 lakh devotees for the grand Suna Besha festival of Lord Jagannath, the Odisha Police have ramped up surveillance and crowd control measures using drones and AI-powered cameras. This strategic deployment of advanced technology aims to ensure public safety, manage traffic congestion, and monitor crowd movement throughout the spiritual event.
Suna Besha, also known as the “Golden Attire” ceremony, draws massive crowds every year as devotees gather to witness the richly adorned idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra atop their chariots. The religious fervor has brought an overwhelming influx of pilgrims and tourists, creating an urgent need for seamless crowd and traffic management in Puri.
According to Additional Director General (Traffic) Dayal Gangwar, the vehicle flow from Bhubaneswar to Puri has significantly increased. As a response, the police are implementing dynamic traffic diversions at key entry points like Batgaon and Maltipatpur to reduce waiting times, which currently range between 20 to 30 minutes.
Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that more than 2 lakh people had darshan of the deities on chariots the previous night, and they are expecting a total footfall of over 15 lakh for the main Suna Besha event. “The administration is on high alert, and all required measures have been taken to control the crowd and maintain public order,” he assured.
The use of drones for aerial surveillance and AI cameras for real-time monitoring reflects Odisha Police’s focus on integrating smart policing solutions during large-scale religious gatherings. This digital-first approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides valuable insights into crowd behavior, aiding in swift decision-making during emergencies.
Pilgrims have been strongly urged to follow traffic advisories, avoid restricted zones, and cooperate with police personnel to ensure a peaceful and safe celebration of Suna Besha 2025 in Puri.
Suna Besha, also known as the “Golden Attire” ceremony, draws massive crowds every year as devotees gather to witness the richly adorned idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra atop their chariots. The religious fervor has brought an overwhelming influx of pilgrims and tourists, creating an urgent need for seamless crowd and traffic management in Puri.
According to Additional Director General (Traffic) Dayal Gangwar, the vehicle flow from Bhubaneswar to Puri has significantly increased. As a response, the police are implementing dynamic traffic diversions at key entry points like Batgaon and Maltipatpur to reduce waiting times, which currently range between 20 to 30 minutes.
Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that more than 2 lakh people had darshan of the deities on chariots the previous night, and they are expecting a total footfall of over 15 lakh for the main Suna Besha event. “The administration is on high alert, and all required measures have been taken to control the crowd and maintain public order,” he assured.
The use of drones for aerial surveillance and AI cameras for real-time monitoring reflects Odisha Police’s focus on integrating smart policing solutions during large-scale religious gatherings. This digital-first approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides valuable insights into crowd behavior, aiding in swift decision-making during emergencies.
Pilgrims have been strongly urged to follow traffic advisories, avoid restricted zones, and cooperate with police personnel to ensure a peaceful and safe celebration of Suna Besha 2025 in Puri.
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