The Rapid Action Force and paramilitary forces will provide two tiers of cordon around the chariots to ensure that devotees do not go anywhere near the three chariots.

The devotees will pull the ropes and take the chariots to their destination at the Sri Gundicha temple and bring the chariots back to the main temple after nine days, but they cannot mount the raths or touch the deities.

Following Orissa High Court order to strictly implement the decision of Puri Shankaracharya that no devotee will climb the cars during the festival, the Odisha police is working overtime to ensure proper implementation of the order.

As television channels will telecast the festival live, the state police are sparing no efforts to make it a foolproof arrangement.

For people to be in the inner cordon of first security barricade, the temple administration has drawn up the list of people who should gain access and be part of the rituals.

Special measures will be taken during the visits of the king of Puri and the Shankaracharya to perform the rituals that precede the pulling of chariots. The temple administration in consultation with the servitors and others has drawn up the list of people who would be near the chariots during the rituals.

To ensure that security is not breached, passes with security chips, are being issued to the servitors. The family members of daitapatis are included in the list of people, as they are supposed to carry out the rituals.

In view of the controversy, official sources said that chief minister Naveen Patnaik had advised his ministers and well as party colleagues not to violate the security arrangements.

They should strictly abide by the decision of the temple administration and should stay outside, if possible, even try not to enter the second layer of security cover. The festival must be held smoothly because the next year’s car festival (known as Nabakalebar) will be a bigger affair. The state expects around 50 lakh tourists to visit the holy city during the idol making and the next car festival.

Director general of police Prakash Mishra said: “Like every year, there will be barricades around the chariots. This time, we will ensure that wherever chariot stops, immediate security cover is provided by the RAF and CRPF personnel to control the crowd.”

“Sleuths of various intelligence outfits are already stationed in Puri. Besides, the intelligence of the state police network is active in the pilgrim city. A state police dog squad and a quick response team are already there in the city,” said a police officer.

Police sources said 104 platoons of police (a platoon consists of 25 to 35 personnel) along with 2,000 home guards would be manning the festival. More than 600 officers will be monitoring the arrangements.