Ahmedabad: Ratha Yatra in the city this year is going to be celebrated on July 12 as per the special guidelines issued by the government with adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Live broadcast of the Ratha Yatra will be available on TV so that the devotees can watch it at their homes. Minister of State for home Pradipsinh Jadeja and Mahant of the temple Shri Dilip Das Ji Maharaj on Friday appealed devotees not to step out of their homes to watch Ratha Yatra, and enjoy the procession on TV screen only.

MoS for home Pradipsinh Jadeja during his visit to city’s Jagannath Mandir informed that the Ratha Yatra will depart from Jagannathji Temple at 7 am along with three chariots with idols of Lord Jagannathji, Subhadraji and Baldevji. It will proceed through traditional route of Municipal Kotha, Raipur Chakla, Khadiya Char-rasta, Kalupur Circle, return to Kalupur circle after halt at Saraspur, Prem Darwaja, Delhi Chakla, Shahpur Darwaja, RC Highschool, Pittaliya Bamba, Pankore Naka, Manek chowk and return to the temple at 12 noon (generally Raths return to the temple post 7 pm).

He added that curfew will be imposed in the areas falling under the route. He said maximum only 20 Rath pullers will be allowed per chariot. Strict Police Bandobast, RTPCR tests of Rath pullers and significant usage of technology will be some of highlighting features of Ratha Yatra. Arrangements of Mini-control rooms have been made at 8 police-stations on the route of Ratha Yatra including Karanj, Shahpur, Madhavpura, Gaekwad Haveli, Shaherkotda, Kalupur, Khadia and Dariyapur. Woki Toki sets will be allotted to police officials of the status of ACP and above.

CCTV cameras will be set-up on the route for live monitoring of yatra. Monitoring will be done at the control room and local police station of the respective area. Patrolling will be done by CCTV equipped vehicles at 7 police stations based on the route. CCTV cameras will be attached to mobile vehicles for moving Bandobast during Ratha Yatra. Teams including 10 teams of Bomb detection and disposal squad, Chetak commando, Dog squad and Netra will be active to prevent sabotages or terrorist activities on the route.

15 drone cameras will be set-up for monitoring at various places on the route. Ratha Yatra will not halt at any place for distributing Prasad or swagat-vidhi. Diversion and barricading will also be arranged at necessary places for traffic control and curfew. Officials from Crime Branch including Additional CP Crime and DCP crime will be present in moving bandobast of Ratha yatra and strict security of the 3 chariots in 3 layers will be arranged.

In Dariyapur police station area, 7 DCP, 14 ACP, 44 PI, 98 PSI, Head constable, police constable jawans of SRP and CRP will be there in bandobast. Monitoring of this area will be done at AMC control room, Paldi through 18 cameras set-up at 9 spots in this area. Arrangements of watch tower and mounted police along with bandobast at sensitive points, Dhaba points, dilapidated buildings and religious places will be done.