In preparation for the Rath Yatra starting on July 16, the Odisha government has decided to issue fewer 'cordon passes' to limit the number of devotees near the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. This decision comes after a tragic incident last year in which three individuals lost their lives due to overcrowding. A high-level review meeting led by Chief Secretary Anu Garg discussed various aspects of crowd management, including security, health, and sanitation. To manage the expected influx of lakhs of devotees, the government is implementing several measures, such as restricting food distribution on the Grand Road to prevent littering and ensuring proper traffic management. Additionally, eight temporary hospitals will be set up to provide emergency medical care. Major infrastructure projects, including the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre and the renovation of the Shree Gundicha Temple, are nearing completion to accommodate the large number of visitors. The administration is also installing around 1,600 temporary toilets and preparing for potential heavy rainfall with high-capacity water pumps.