Bhubaneswar/Puri, July 25 (UDN): The Bhubaneswar–Puri National Highway witnessed massive traffic congestion on Saturday as thousands of devotees travelled to Puri to witness the revered Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan.

Representational Image

Heavy traffic was reported at multiple locations along the highway, with one of the worst bottlenecks witnessed near Batagaon, where vehicles crawled for long stretches. Pilgrims travelling by buses, private cars and two-wheelers were forced to endure extended delays, with many remaining stuck in traffic for nearly an hour.

The surge in vehicular movement comes as lakhs of devotees are expected to converge on Puri for the annual Golden Attire ritual, one of the most anticipated events of the Rath Yatra celebrations. The steady inflow of pilgrims from different parts of Odisha and neighbouring states has significantly increased pressure on the highway leading to the coastal town.

To manage the unprecedented rush, the Commissionerate Police and district administration have stepped up traffic management measures. Additional personnel have been deployed at key junctions and congestion-prone areas to regulate traffic and ensure uninterrupted movement wherever possible.

Officials have urged pilgrims to plan their journey in advance, stay updated on traffic advisories and strictly follow the directions issued by police and traffic personnel. Commuters have also been advised to exercise patience as authorities continue efforts to ease congestion.

With the Suna Besha rituals scheduled later in the day, traffic on the Bhubaneswar–Puri corridor is expected to remain heavy until late evening as devotees continue to flock to the pilgrim town for the auspicious darshan.