[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

The state government expects footfall of nearly 10 lakh devotees on Wednesday, even as the 3-km Grand Road cannot accommodate even a half of it. The bulk of the crowd usually gathers near the moving chariots, making it difficult for the police to control them.

"We would not have faced difficulty had the devotees stand scattered on both sides of the 3-km Grand Road to watch the chariot pulling. Problem arises when all of them try to come near Jagannath Temple and move along with the rolling chariots till Gundicha Temple," said a police officer.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

In 2008, the stampede occurred when lakhs of pilgrims, who had occupied a space of only 300 metres on the Grand Road (between Marichikot Chhak and Jagannath Temple), turned restless to catch a glimpse of the Deity-laden chariots. Similar chaotic circumstances led to the mishaps in 2010 and 2015.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

"Effective crowd management is our key area. Adequate forces will stay guard to regulate the crowd around the chariots and on Grand Road," Director General of Police K B Singh said. The top cop along with some other IPS officers has been camping in Puri for the past two days to ensure smooth conduct of the festival. Over 5,000 cops have been garrisoned to look after law and order, crowd and traffic managements between Rath Yatra and July 14 Bahuda Yatra (return car festival).

"Stampede-like situations had occurred in a few narrow streets, touching the Grand Road. We have sealed many of the sensitive lanes. Our personnel will also man narrow streets, connecting to Grand Road to control the crowd. Encroachments along Grand Road and streets around the temple have been removed for smooth passage of people and vehicles," said SP (Puri) Sarthak Sarangi.

Crowd management apart, the senior police officers have asked the field officers around chariots to properly handle servitors. Inept handling of servitors turned violent on the second day of 2011 Rath Yatra, when some policemen and a group of priests indulged in a pitched battle in front of the chariots at Gundicha Temple, leading to injury of 30 people from both sides. Some devotees were also hurt in the free-for-all situation that stemmed from a wordy duel between priests and police.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]