Ahmedabad 147th Rath Yatra: Over 18K Security Personnel Deployed, CM Patel Review Preparations

Ahmedabad: More than 18,000 security forces will be deployed at the 147^th edition of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath which will take place on July 7 to guard the event which witnesses lakhs of devotees. Police have informed that 1,733 body-worn cameras which are linked to a control room, would be used to keep a close watch on the procession.

Close to 1400 CCTV cameras installed by shopkeepers on the pathway will also be used for live surveillance of the Rath Yatra, the press release informed. Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister on Wednesday assessed the security preparedness for the mega religious event at a meeting which was attended by several officials including Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi and Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, a PTI report said.

GS Malik, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police presented an elaborate presentation during the meeting on various security aspects of the Rath Yatra. Malik informed the CM that around 18,784 security personnel, including General of Police (IG)-rank officers will be positioned on the 16km route for the Rath Yatra.

Of these, 4500 personnel will walk with the procession on the whole route while 1931 personnel will be deployed for traffic management. The official release stated that 16 ambulances and medical teams at five government-run hospitals will remain on stand-by to address any medical emergency. It added that to assist the citizens, 17 help desks will be set up on the route.

According to the decades-old tradition, the procession led by chariots, would begin early at 7am from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area and return by 8pm after navigating through various localities in the Old city, including some community sensitive areas. It also comprises of 18 decorated elephants, 100 trucks and 30 ‘akhadas’ (local gymnasiums).

The chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra will be pulled by Khalasai community members, as this being the age-old tradition.

(With inputs from PTI)