Kataka Police Distribute Reflective Gear to Kanwariyas, Tighten Safety Measures for Shravan Pilgrimage

Katata: To ensure the safety of Kanwariyas during the ongoing Shravan pilgrimage, the Bhubaneswar-Kataka Commissionerate Police on Sunday launched a special safety initiative by distributing reflective jackets and reflective tapes to devotees collecting holy water from the Mahanadi Ghat.

The move is aimed at improving the visibility of pilgrims, particularly those travelling during night hours, and reducing the chances of road accidents along the Kanwar Yatra routes.

Commissioner of Police Dr Suresh Dev Datta Singh visited the Mahanadi Ghat to review the arrangements and said comprehensive security and traffic management plans have been implemented for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Thousands of devotees carrying holy water are expected to travel to prominent Shiva shrines, including the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

To manage the large gathering, barricades have been installed at key points around the ghat to streamline the movement of pilgrims and prevent congestion. The Kataka Urban Police District (UPD) has deployed nearly eight platoons of police personnel, while teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been stationed at the site to handle any emergency situation.

Authorities have also arranged essential facilities, including washrooms for devotees, and established a round-the-clock control room to monitor the pilgrimage. Police officials have been assigned duties in three shifts to maintain continuous surveillance and coordination.

Urging devotees to cooperate with the administration, the Commissioner advised Kanwariyas to walk in a single line, avoid blocking entire stretches of the road, and comply with traffic guidelines. He also appealed to motorists to remain alert, drive responsibly, and avoid speeding on roads frequented by the pilgrims.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Singh said the reflective jackets and tapes significantly improve the visibility of Kanwariyas after dark. He noted that a similar measure was introduced during last year’s pilgrimage and yielded positive results in preventing accidents.

Expressing confidence in the preparedness, the Commissioner said the police are committed to ensuring a peaceful, well-managed, and incident-free Kanwar Yatra this year.