Heavy Devotee Influx During Rath Yatra Leads to Major Traffic Congestion on Bhubaneswar–Puri Corridor

Puri, July 18: A significant surge in the number of devotees travelling to Puri for the annual Rath Yatra has resulted in extensive traffic congestion along the Bhubaneswar–Puri route, causing prolonged delays for pilgrims and commuters.

The unprecedented influx of visitors since the commencement of the Rath Yatra has led to severe gridlocks on key transit corridors connecting Bhubaneswar and Puri. The heavy traffic movement, particularly during Friday night, affected the smooth flow of vehicles as thousands of devotees made their way to the holy city to participate in one of India’s largest religious festivals.

Authorities have been working to regulate traffic and manage the increased vehicular movement through diversion plans, traffic monitoring, and crowd management measures. Commuters have been advised to expect delays, follow official traffic advisories, and use designated routes wherever possible.

The Rath Yatra continues to draw devotees from across the country, reflecting the festival’s deep religious and cultural significance. Officials remain focused on ensuring the safety, convenience, and orderly movement of pilgrims while managing the high volume of traffic throughout the celebrations.