Puri, Sep 6: Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has revealed a significant streamlining of the pass distribution system for Rath Yatra 2025 in Puri.

Speaking to the media, he revealed that the number of cordon passes — used to regulate access to restricted zones — had been reduced from over 4,000 in previous years to just 2,500 this year. This move was aimed to enhance crowd control and ensure smoother management of the grand festival.

In total, 24,750 passes had been issued for various categories including vehicle passes, duty officer passes, and volunteer passes. The district administration, led by the Collector, had been tasked with issuing passes based on actual necessity, ensuring that only essential personnel are granted access.

Minister Harichandan emphasized that this rationalized system helped prevent any disorder during the festival. “There has been no disruption in the Rath Yatra this year due to pass-related issues,” he stated, highlighting the success of the new approach.

The Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest religious gatherings, draws millions of devotees to Puri every year. Effective crowd management and security coordination are critical to its success.

This year’s Rath Yatra also saw enhanced medical facilities, special train arrangements, and infrastructure upgrades along the Grand Road, ensuring a safe and spiritually uplifting experience for all attendees.