Bhubaneswar, December 25: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the Special Security Battalion for Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, said an official release on Monday.
“The Battalion would have around 1,190 personnel, and it would be placed under the command and control of the Puri SP,” said a CMO communiqué.
The new battalion would have the primary responsibility of providing full proof security to the temple and they will be specially trained for better crowd management and tourist/devotee facilitation for ensuring a hassle free and orderly darshan by the devotees, it said.
The 12th shrine, the centre of faith for Hindus, draws thousands of devotees every day.
In the post Covid period, the daily footfall of devotees was estimated to be about 50,000, whereas it doubles and triples during the weekends and on important religious occasions.
The anticipated flow of devotees is likely to witness substantial increase after the dedication of the new Heritage Corridor Project – Srimandir Parikrama Prakalp to the public.
The Chief Minister took the decision based on the feedback given by 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian after discussion with all the stakeholders for providing full proof security to the Jagannath Temple, crowd management and devotee facilitation.
