CID CB launches cyber safety awareness campaign for Puri Rath Yatra 2026
Puri: Millions of devotees from different parts of India are expected to visit Puri during the forthcoming Rath Yatra-2026. To create awareness among tourists and pilgrims about cybercrime and to ensure prompt response to any cyber incident during the festival, on the direction of DGP, Odisha, the CID-CB, Odisha is launching a comprehensive Cyber Safety Awareness Campaign.
The objective of the campaign is to prevent cyber frauds, promote safe online practices, and provide timely assistance to pilgrims and tourists. As part of the campaign, a dedicated Cyber Safety Awareness Vehicle (Cyber Rath) will be flagged off at Puri on 11th July 2026 evening. The Cyber Rath will have extensive campaigning at Puri carrying cyber safety messages and awareness materials to educate pilgrims, tourists, hotel owners, local residents, and other stakeholders about emerging cyber threats during the festival.
A coordination meeting with the Puri Hotel Owners’ Association will be held on 11.07.2026 at 06:00 PM at the Puri Reserve Police Line to enhance cooperation in preventing fake hotel booking frauds and to ensure that genuine accommodation providers actively disseminate cyber safety advisories to visiting pilgrims..
The Social Media Unit of CID CB has been continuously monitoring online platforms to curb cyber frauds related to Rath Yatra. During 2026, till date, the Unit has successfully identified and blocked 212 fake hotel websites and 26 fake hotel webpages. Notably, during the month of June 2026 alone, 50 fake hotel websites and 26 fake hotel webpages were identified and blocked, demonstrating the proactive efforts being undertaken to protect pilgrims from online booking frauds.
Odisha Police appeals to all devotees and tourists to remain vigilant, follow cyber safety advisories, and cooperate with the police in ensuring a safe, secure, and cyber-aware Rath Yatra-2026.
