With more than five lakh visitors expected in Puri alone on New Year’s Eve, Odisha police will deploy 150 platoons across key tourist and religious sites under its “Zero-Tolerance, Maximum-Safety” grid. The largest contingent — 60 platoons — will be stationed in Puri, where hotels are already packed and devotees are queuing up at the Shree Jagannath Temple. High-footfall zones like Puri beach and Kantilo Nilamadhab will be monitored via high-definition CCTV and drones. Plainclothes women officers will be deployed in sensitive areas, while narcotics and illicit liquor operations will face intensified crackdowns. “This year, we’re not just managing crowds — we’re ensuring every visitor returns home safe,” said Nayak.

Source: The Telegraph December 29, 2025 03:21 UTC