The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings will start in Puri, Odisha from today. The authorities are expecting about 10 lakh people to take part in the nine-day chariot festival.

Security has been strengthened across Puri town for the Rath Yatra.

Director General of Police KB Singh said "Multi-layer security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival. CCTVs have been installed at various locations to keep a tab on the people.”

Officials have made sure there is heavy security around the three chariots. Security Personnels have been deployesd at Grand Road, the sea beach, railway station and the bus station. KB Singh added “Air surveillance and land and air patrolling will be intensified.”

Senior police officer Soumendra Priyadarshi said that “arrangments have been made in such a way that all the visitors will be getting information about the traffic managment from time to time through social media and Puri police administration website.”

Police and other personnel have been deployed to guide the public. Sri Jagannath Temple Administration has announced it will provide an accident insurance cover of Rs. five lakh, effective from July 5 to 17, to each person taking part in the Rath Yatra.

Final touches are being given to the three chariots -- Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra.

East Coast Railway will be running special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers for the festival.

Railways offcilas said that "railways have planned to facilitate pilgrims with reserved 'class accommodation,' for the trains leaving from its jurisdiction towards Puri and vice versa, apart from the special trains from neighbouring states."

Also Read: Chiru and Rahul attacks Modi and Naidu

By M. Divya Shri