Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a comprehensive review of the police system’s preparedness for the successful execution of the 147th annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, traditionally held on Ashadhi Bij in Ahmedabad, at a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar. Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghvi, Chief Secretary, Raj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Rakesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Pankaj Joshi, Director General of Police, Vikas Sahay, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, G.S. Malik, and senior officers joined this high-level meeting.
The Chief Minister m
entioned that the Rath Yatra, celebrated across various locations in the state including Ahmedabad, is a religious festival marked by public celebration and happiness. He emphasized the need for vigilance from the police and local municipal authorities to deter people from entering old, dilapidated, or unsafe buildings for darshan. The CM urged for increased police presence at these sites to safeguard lives and property.
The Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner delivered a detailed presentation on maintaining law and order along the 16 km route and ensuring security measures for the devotional Rath Yatra held in Ahmedabad city. Demonstrating the city police system’s dedication to ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for the joyous Rath Yatra festival, the Police Commissioner stated in the presentation that over 18,700 security personnel, ranging from IG-level officers to police personnel, will be deployed to ensure the success of the Rath Yatra. During the presentation, it was announced that around 4500 police personnel would be deployed alongside the Rath Yatra to secure chariots, trucks, akhadas, bhajan mandals (groups), and participating Mahantshris. Under the leadership of the Joint Commissioner of Police of the Traffic Branch, 1931 personnel will be deployed to prevent traffic jams and ensure smooth traffic management throughout the yatra. Additionally, Shri Malik mentioned that 16 cranes have been arranged for this purpose.
Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home, recommended that the police system should prioritize promptly informing the public of the facts in case of any rumors, misleading news, or misinformation circulated on social media during the Rath Yatra. Regarding adequate monitoring management for the Rath Yatra, the Commissioner of Police emphasized that live monitoring will be conducted using 96 cameras, 20 drones, and 1733 body-worn cameras positioned across 47 locations. He also stated that in collaboration with private shopkeepers, around 1400 CCTV cameras will monitor the entire 16 km Rath Yatra route through the police control room. If a medical emergency or any incident occurs during the yatra, three medical teams from Ahmedabad Municipality and the State Government Civil and Sola Civil will be on standby to provide medical services. Also, immediate medical treatment will be provided at five urban health centers. It has been assured that 11 ambulances from the 108 Ambulance Service and five ambulances from the Municipal Corporation will be on standby during Rath Yatra as required. Also, approximately 17 Jan Sahayta Kendra (public assistance centers) will be established along the Yatra route to assist people during the Rath Yatra.
To transform this traditional Rath Yatra into a festival of communal unity and harmony, the city police system organized 132 Shanti Samiti meetings, 136 Maholla Samiti meetings, 38 meetings of Mahila Samiti, 18 meetings with various religious leaders, and 25 meetings with the Khalasi brothers responsible for pulling the God’s Chariot, as part of the pre-Yatra preparations. Additionally, during this presentation to the Chief Minister, it was highlighted that social unity awareness programs such as the Ekta Cup Cricket Match, Volleyball Tournament, Mehendi Competition, and Blood Donation Camp were successfully conducted.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel received crucial information from Police Chief Shri Vikas Sahay and provided directives to ensure that the Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully, safely, and harmoniously across the state, including Ahmedabad. The CM conveyed the belief that the festive Rath Yatra will be conducted in a harmonious atmosphere, with the active participation of the public and the vigilant security commitment of the police system. Also attending this review meeting was the Additional Commissioner of Police for Ahmedabad, along with the Joint Police Commissioners of the Crime Branch and Traffic Branch.