‘Suna Besha' rush chokes roads to Puri: Parking lots exhausted; DGP, top cops monitor emergency traffic measures
By early morning, about 7:30 AM, all designated parking facilities, capable of accommodating 6,500 vehicles, were packed. According to police authorities such traffic flow has been witnessed for the first time during the Suna Besha festival.
The sacred ceremony, coinciding with a Sunday, drew extraordinary crowds eager to witness the divine spectacle of the sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra - adorned in magnificent golden ornaments atop their respective chariots outside the 12th-century shrine.
Although the ceremony featuring the deities in their golden avatar is scheduled for Sunday evening, devotees began gathering well before dawn, showing their unwavering devotion.
The situation on the ground quickly escalated as severe traffic bottlenecks developed along all three major access routes to Puri from Bhubaneswar, Brahmagiri, and Konark. Commuters found themselves trapped in prolonged delays about 10 km away from their destination, with waiting times at critical junctions extending beyond two hours.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
By 11 AM, local authorities reported an influx of more than 15,000 vehicles, overwhelming the available infrastructure and testing the limits of law enforcement personnel.
In response to the escalating crisis, the local police authorities coordinated with their counterparts in Bhubaneswar and Khurda to implement immediate traffic control measures, including temporarily halting and diverting additional vehicle movement toward Puri.
The morning situation posed serious concerns about crowd and traffic management for the peak evening hours when Suna Besha darshan starts.
Police officials, grappling with limited parking infrastructure and logistical challenges, looked for alternative parking solutions while issuing real-time updates and advisories to pilgrims and tourists.
'These communications aimed to help visitors better plan their arrivals and minimize the risk of extended traffic delays,' ADG Dayal Gangwar said.
Historical data indicates that last year's Suna Besha celebration attracted over 23,000 vehicles to Puri. More recently, during this year's Rath Yatra's third day on June 29, about 25,000 vehicles descended upon the holy city, contributing to a tragic incident outside the Gundicha temple where three devotees lost their lives in a stampede.
As the unprecedented turnout has highlighted the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure and more robust crowd and traffic management, police said they are taking steps to accommodate the growing number of devotees participating in these sacred ceremonies while ensuring their safety and convenience.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Planning to study in UAE? Here's what every International student must know
With world-class universities and a welcoming visa system, the UAE continues to attract students from across the globe offering diverse academic programs and scholarship opportunities in an increasingly global academic hub/Representative Image As the academic year winds down, students and parents begin exploring university options and academic majors that align with the student's goals. For international and non-GCC students, the UAE offers diverse educational opportunities from world-class universities to flexible visa options and scholarships. According to the UAE Digital Government, the country provides pathways for international students to enrol in both public and private institutions, making it a major hub for global learners. Higher Education Access for Foreign Students The UAE allows non-UAE and non-GCC students to study in public schools (for a fee) and at both public and private universities. Several institutions also offer scholarships and special programs for high-achieving international applicants. Recently, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) announced it will admit foreign students who meet academic standards and are able to pay applicable tuition fees. Official Guide for Foreign and Resident Students The UAE Digital Government outlines several key steps for international students seeking enrollment in private universities: Research accredited universities licensed by the Commission for Academic Accreditation. Verify that your chosen program is recognised by the UAE's regulatory bodies. Understand each institution's admission criteria and application timelines. Familiarise yourself with the visa requirements set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Coordinate with your embassy in the UAE for scholarship opportunities and procedural guidance. Students sponsored by foreign governments must liaise with their respective agencies for proper documentation and arrangements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo Students can study and reside in the UAE under a visa sponsored by either their university or a UAE-resident parent or relative. The visa is typically issued for one year and is renewable with proof of ongoing enrollment at a licensed educational institution. Key Points on Sponsorship: Male students under 25 can be sponsored by a parent. Male students over 25 can continue under parental sponsorship with proof of enrolment in a year-long program. Female students can be sponsored by parents regardless of age. Visa Requirements for Students Before applying for a visa, the applicant must be officially accepted into a recognised institution. The visa application will then require: New students: Admission letter from a UAE university. Current students: Enrolment certificate. Medical fitness certificate from a UAE-approved center. Proof of sponsorship by a university, parent, or relative. Final approval from the GDRFA. It's advisable to consult the UAE embassy in your home country for detailed information and updates. Student Visa Duration and Conditions Validity: One year, renewable annually with updated proof of enrolment. Sponsorship: Can be from a university or a UAE-resident parent/relative. Fees: Typically between AED 5,500 ( 1,498 USD) to AED 6,500 ( 1,771 USD), depending on the institution (Source: GBS Dubai). Where to Apply: GDRFA e-service portals for each emirate GDRFA Dubai official website or app ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) app DubaiNow app Along with this, high-achieving students may qualify for long-term Golden Residency Visas of 5 or 10 years. This applies to individuals demonstrating academic excellence and offers a pathway to long-term stay in the UAE. (Source: Visit Dubai) Important Reminders All student visa applications must mee admission requirements. Visa approval remains subject to GDRFA review in each emirate. Students should maintain valid documents and stay up to date on university enrolment to avoid visa issues.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Noida International Airport to be fully operational by November: Minister after review meeting
The Noida International Airport , which has missed several deadlines since its foundation stone was laid in November 2021, will start operating in November this year, industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' announced on Saturday. Gupta, while speaking in a review meeting of the Yamuna Expressway Development Authority (YEIDA), said, "During the SP and BSP govts, the airport project would surface only around elections before disappearing again, like a genie back into its bottle. But in the past eight years, work actually moved beyond files gathering dust. And now, the airport is set to be fully completed by Nov this year. It will be the largest airport in Asia and the fourth largest in the world." This comes amid several missed deadlines. The airport was originally scheduled to be complete by September 2024. However, the timeline was postponed to April this year, then pushed to May-June because of pending work on the terminal building. In March, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had set a May 15 deadline for domestic flights and June 25 for international operations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors in the Philippines Can Enjoy Affordable Private Health Insurance! (See List) Health Insurance | Search Ads Search Now Undo According to officials of Noida International Airport Ltd, the concessionaire presented a phased timeline during a review meeting last month. It said that cargo and domestic operations were expected by September 15, and full international services beginning in November. However, as the deadline approaches and the construction work continues, meeting the November deadline seems easier said that done. The airport project still needs crucial approvals, including security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Live Events Officials said that the project is 80 per cent complete, while the runway and airside infrastructure is more than 90 per cent done. The passenger terminal building is progressing steadily, with roofing and interior work currently in force. Supporting infrastructure has also seen significant development. A 750-metre interchange and internal roads connecting the airport with the Yamuna Expressway are complete. Water and sewage treatment plants, which were 40 per cent ready in March, are now advancing rapidly. Furthermore, the air traffic control building and the installation of CNS/ATM systems by the Airports Authority of India are also nearing completion. The state government has now imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), since January 1 since the project is getting delayed every month. Once complete, this 1,334-hectare project will be NCR's second full-fledged commercial airport, after Delhi's IGI. Hindon terminal in Ghaziabad, which is under the Indian Air Force, has also started commercial flights to metro cities.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand rains fury: Heavy showers lash Rudraprayag; landslide alert for Tehri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli
RUDRAPRAYAG: Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Rudraprayag district on Monday morning, following alerts issued by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Uttarakhand had earlier issued a high-alert landslide warning for four districts — Tehri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli . The alert, dated July 6, cautioned about the risk of landslides on July 7 and 8 in several subdivisions, including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath, Ghansali, Narendra Nagar, Dhanaulti, Dunda, and Chinyalisaur. Rudraprayag Police also shared the rain warning on X and posted, "The Geological Survey Department of the Government of India has issued a warning on July 7, 2025, for a high likelihood of landslides in Tehri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli districts. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department has indicated the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag districts. " The Meteorological Department on Sunday issued a heavy rainfall alert for the next four days in several districts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, Tehri, Bageshwar, Dehradun, and Rudraprayag. In response to the adverse weather conditions, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-affected Silai Band and Ojri Band stretches on the Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, where sections of the national highway were washed away, cutting off access to the pilgrimage route. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Earlier, the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in Rudraprayag district was temporarily halted after a landslide damaged the pedestrian track near Chhodi Gadhere, about one kilometre ahead of Gaurikund. Officials stated the path had become hazardous, prompting them to halt the movement of pilgrims until further notice. This year, Kedarnath Dham has seen a surge in pilgrim turnout, which authorities credit to improved infrastructure and rising spiritual enthusiasm. Additional security and medical teams have been deployed to manage the high-altitude pilgrimage effectively. Kedarnath temple, situated at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas and dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds deep religious significance. The temple opened its doors to devotees for the 2025 yatra season on May 2.
