Ahmedabad: Preparations for Rath Yatra 2026 are in full swing as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) steps up safety measures ahead of the city’s annual Jagannath Rath Yatra. As part of its pre-event inspection drive, civic officials demolished a dangerously dilapidated building on Jordan Road in the Dariyapur area to ensure the procession route remains safe for devotees and the public.
The structure had been identified as being in a severely weakened condition and posed a potential risk of collapse, particularly during the massive gathering expected on the day of the yatra. AMC‘s Estate Department, along with the Central Zone team, carried out the demolition using heavy machinery and workers after assessing the safety concerns.
AMC continues safety preparations for Rath Yatra 2026.
— Amdavad Municipal Corporation (@AmdavadAMC) June 25, 2026
A dangerous and dilapidated structure on Jordan Road is being removed to ensure a safe and secure route for devotees and the public.#AMC #Ahmedabad #RathYatra2026 #PublicSafety@CMOGuj @PMOIndia @GUDMGujaratGov… pic.twitter.com/wE2ilmn1X2
Safety Drive Underway Along the Entire Procession Route
With thousands of devotees expected to line the streets during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, the civic body has launched an extensive route clearance campaign well before the event. Officials are inspecting the entire procession path to remove obstacles that could create safety hazards.
The operation includes clearing illegal encroachments, trimming tree branches hanging over roads, addressing low-hanging electricity wires, and identifying old or structurally weak buildings that could endanger public safety during the procession.
Authorities say these preventive measures are intended to reduce risks and ensure smooth movement of the chariots, security personnel, emergency services, and the large crowds that gather every year.
AMC Expands Civic Arrangements for Rath Yatra 2026
According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, comprehensive arrangements have been put in place for the 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra, scheduled to be held on July 16. The civic administration has prepared an extensive support network covering the more than 13-kilometre procession route.
As part of the preparations:
- Around 440 sanitation workers will be deployed to maintain cleanliness throughout the event.
- 203 fire department personnel will remain on duty for emergency response.
- Seven mobile medical vans and 15 medical officers will provide healthcare assistance if required.
- More than 560 additional floodlights have been installed to improve visibility and public safety along the route.
Officials have also identified 633 old and potentially hazardous buildings situated along the procession route. Warning notices have been issued to the owners, while continuous monitoring is being carried out by the civic administration.
Cleanliness to Remain a Key Focus During the Procession
Alongside security arrangements, AMC has launched a special sanitation campaign to keep the city clean throughout the celebrations. Dedicated teams will remain active during the yatra for immediate waste collection and disposal to prevent litter from accumulating along the route.
In the Saraspur area, the corporation has arranged 13 door-to-door waste collection vehicles in addition to four mobile toilet vans to improve sanitation facilities for devotees and visitors.
Joint Coordination Between Civic and Security Agencies
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is working in coordination with police and other government departments to ensure the annual religious procession is conducted in a safe and well-organized manner. Regular inspections of the route, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure checks form a major part of the planning process.
With the city’s largest religious procession expected to attract massive crowds once again, authorities have intensified preventive measures to minimize risks and provide a secure environment for devotees participating in Rath Yatra 2026.