Bhubaneswar, May 23: In response to rising national security threats, the Odisha government is actively considering the deployment of anti-drone technology at the revered Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. The move comes in the wake of the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which has heightened vigilance across the country.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that the Law Department has initiated discussions with the Odisha Police to bolster temple security through advanced surveillance measures. The proposed anti-drone system would be capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising unauthorized or potentially hostile drones that may pose a threat to the 12th-century shrine.

“The deployment of anti-drone technology is a proactive step toward safeguarding one of India’s most important religious sites,” said Harichandan. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will bear the cost if needed, he added.

Additionally, the minister confirmed that the state government will extend financial support for the annual Rath Yatra festivals across Odisha, including assistance for chariot construction and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth and secure celebrations.

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