In preparation for the Rath Yatra festival starting on July 16 in Puri, Odisha, the state government has decided to issue fewer 'cordon passes' to limit overcrowding around the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. This decision follows last year's tragic incident where three people lost their lives due to overcrowding. A high-level review meeting led by Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized the need for effective crowd management and timely completion of security and infrastructure arrangements. Key initiatives include restricting food distribution on Grand Road to maintain cleanliness, enhancing traffic management, and setting up emergency surveillance with CCTV cameras. Additionally, eight temporary hospitals will be established to provide immediate health care. Major infrastructure projects, such as the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre and the Matiapada overbridge, are nearing completion to accommodate the expected surge of devotees. The state administration is also planning to install around 1,600 temporary toilets and has identified locations for high-capacity water pumps to manage potential heavy rainfall.