Bhubaneswar: Puri police initiated a community engagement programme to ensure smooth conduct of the state’s largest annual festival, Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. Police officials led by SP Vinit Agrawal are conducting visits to various ‘sahis’ (lanes and by-lanes), engaging with residents to foster cooperation.Police emphasise that local support is crucial for successful execution of the festival.“Objective of the extensive community outreach initiative is to ensure seamless coordination between law enforcement and local residents,” the SP told TOI.During interactions between law enforcement and residents, discussions centred ontraffic management, auto-rickshaw movement restrictions, and ways to enhance community involvement. Residents are being encouraged to assist with traffic control in their localities and act as local guides for visitors from other states and countries.”Community participation is the cornerstone of successful crowd management during Rath Yatra. We are actively involving local residents in our preparation,” Agrawal said.The SP has directed officers to identify vulnerable and congested areas while developing detailed plans for managing devotee crowds.He stressed the necessity of collaboration between temple authorities, police forces and local inhabitants to ensuredevotees’ safetyand spiritual fulfilment.Further discussions with hoteliers and transport associations are planned, according to the SP. “A detailed strategy addressing security, traffic control and crowd management is being developed to prevent any untoward incidents during the festival,” he said.”Huge numbers of devotees would throng Puri on important rituals like Nabajauban Darshan on June 26, Rath Yatra on June 27, Bahuda Yatra on July 5, Suna Besha on July 6 and Neeladri Bije on July 8.We will be ready with a foolproof security bandobast soon,” another police official said.On Monday, DGP Y B Khurania and his team assessed Rath Yatra security arrangements in Puri, considering Indo-Pak border tensions. The DGP instructed officers to maintain heightened vigilance and confirmed that RAF and CRPF personnel would supplement state security during the festival.Senior officers have received specific assignments regarding law enforcement, traffic control and crowd management. Intelligence teams have been established to prevent potential disruptive activities.