Ahmedabad Rath Yatra 2025: 31,000 cops, 65 drones for 149th procession on July 16
Synopsis
For Ahmedabad's 149th Rath Yatra on July 16, Gujarat has mobilised over 31,000 police officers, 65 drones, and 2,800 body-worn cameras — one of the most extensive security deployments for a religious procession in the state's recent history. The scale reflects both the event's cultural weight and the administration's 'zero-risk' mandate.
Key Takeaways
More than 31,000 police personnel will be deployed for the 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad on 16 July .
Surveillance will be conducted via over 240 terrace observation points , 65 drones , and more than 2,800 body-worn cameras .
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level security review in Gandhinagar and directed peaceful conduct of 230 Rath Yatras across the state.
The AMC will deploy 15 medical officers , 100 health personnel , 31 fire vehicles , and 237 fire service personnel .
Ahmedabad Police held 69 Peace Committee , 79 Mohalla Committee , and around 178 religious leader meetings ahead of the event.
The procession will feature 101 trucks , 30 akhadas , and 18 bhajan mandalis across a 16-km route.
More than 31,000 police personnel will be deployed across Ahmedabad for the 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on 16 July, with the 16-km procession to be monitored through over 240 terrace observation points, 65 drones, and more than 2,800 body-worn cameras under what the city police have described as a 'zero-risk' security strategy. The sweeping arrangements were reviewed by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar ahead of the Ashadhi Bij festival.
Scale of Security Deployment
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut presented the security blueprint at the review meeting, stating that 'the city police are working with complete alertness and preparedness to ensure the procession passes off peacefully under a zero-risk approach with the deployment of more than 31,000 police personnel.' The surveillance grid combines aerial drone coverage with ground-level body-worn cameras, giving authorities real-time visibility across the entire route.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will complement the police effort by deploying 15 medical officers, 100 health personnel, 31 fire vehicles, and 237 fire service personnel along the procession route.
Procession Details
The 149th Rath Yatra will see 101 trucks, 30 akhadas, and 18 bhajan mandalis participating in the traditional procession. Beyond the main event in Ahmedabad, Chief Minister Patel directed police to ensure the peaceful conduct of approximately 230 Rath Yatras scheduled across Gujarat, including six mini Rath Yatras within Ahmedabad city.
Communal Harmony Outreach
In the lead-up to the event, Ahmedabad Police organised 69 Peace Committee meetings, 79 Mohalla Committee meetings, and around 178 meetings with religious leaders from different communities. Commissioner Gahlaut noted that blood donation camps, night cricket and volleyball matches, Lok Dayra cultural programmes, and interaction sessions with Gen Z were also organised to further strengthen communal harmony ahead of the procession.
Safety Along the Route
Chief Minister Patel specifically instructed Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani to enforce strict measures preventing crowds from gathering around dilapidated buildings and structures along the Rath Yatra route. The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik, and other senior officials. With preparations at this scale, authorities are aiming to set a benchmark for large-scale religious event management in Gujarat.
Point of View
And the label sets a high accountability bar for the administration. What is notable, however, is the breadth of the pre-event outreach: 326 community and religious leader meetings before a single chariot moves is a serious investment in soft security. Gujarat's model of pairing surveillance hardware with grassroots harmony-building deserves scrutiny on outcomes — not just inputs. Whether the drone-and-camera grid translates into real-time response capability, or remains a deterrence display, will be the operational test on July 16.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra 2025?
The 149th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad is scheduled for 16 July 2025, coinciding with the Ashadhi Bij festival. The procession will cover a 16-km route through the city.
How many police will be deployed for the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra?
More than 31,000 police personnel will be deployed for the event. The security setup also includes over 240 terrace observation points, 65 drones, and more than 2,800 body-worn cameras as part of a 'zero-risk' strategy.
Who reviewed the security arrangements for the Rath Yatra?
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel chaired a high-level review meeting in Gandhinagar. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary M.K. Das, DGP G.S. Malik, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, and Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani.
What medical and fire arrangements are in place for the procession?
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will deploy 15 medical officers, 100 health personnel, 31 fire vehicles, and 237 fire service personnel along the Rath Yatra route to handle any emergencies.
What steps have been taken to ensure communal harmony before the Rath Yatra?
Ahmedabad Police organised 69 Peace Committee meetings, 79 Mohalla Committee meetings, and around 178 meetings with religious leaders from different communities. Cultural events including blood donation camps, night sports matches, and Gen Z interaction sessions were also held to build communal goodwill.
