Kolkata Rath Yatra 2024: As the holy Rath Yatra 2024 begins today, cops have planned seven major rath yatras in the city and there will be a large number of devotees and observers witnessing them. Up to 74 significant raths will take to the city's streets on Sunday.
While specific pickets have been erected, a total of 1,500 police officers have been assigned to these routes. Officers at the DCP level will staff the whole operation. Local police stations will monitor the masses on the footpaths to prevent people from falling onto the road as the rath crosses them, according to police, who added that the focus would be on controlling crowds at the crossings.
When the Iskcon Rath Yatra begins on Sunday, an additional 2,000 police officers will be on duty in addition to QRT teams, the local police, and traffic guards. Police warned that several south Kolkata routes will be closed.
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Before the rath traverses the location, any unauthorised parking will be removed, at least one hour in advance. Hungerford Street, AJC Bose Road, Sarat Bose Road, Hazra Road, SP Mukherjee Road, JL Nehru Road, Park Street Crossing, and Outram Road would be the usual path used by the rath.
On Friday, a high-level police discussion for Muharram and the Rath Yatra was also conducted at Bhawani Bhawan.
Meanwhile, concerned by the 121 fatalities that occurred on Tuesday following a stampede at a satsang in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha police have used technology to guarantee efficient crowd management during the Rath Yatra in Puri.