GRP personnel learn soft skills to handle passenger rush
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Puri: Govt Railway Police (GRP) personnel were trained on Wednesday in hospitality and soft skills to handle Rath Yatra crowds. They were warned to avoid using harsh language or rude behaviour towards passengers for the Rath Yatra in Puri.
With lakhs of devotees and international visitors expected to arrive for Rath Yatra, the GRP has taken a firm stance that its personnel must exhibit discipline, courtesy and service before authority.
Over 600 personnel participated in a dedicated behavioural training session held at the Puri Town Hall on Wednesday evening, ahead of the chariot festival. The training aimed to equip the personnel with soft skills to handle the expected surge in passenger footfall with patience, courtesy and professionalism.
The session was conducted by behavioural coach Amit Saraf, who spent two hours guiding the personnel through real-life case scenarios, respectful communication techniques and stress management during public interactions.
"The world watches Puri during Rath Yatra. We can't afford to let our policing style become a complaint. We've instructed all deployed personnel to treat passengers with humility — no abusive language, no aggression.
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They must offer help and maintain public dignity," said Vivekanand Sharma, SP of GRP.
"Our objective is to ensure that every pilgrim feels safe, respected and well-assisted. Behavioural training is a crucial part of crowd management. It empowers our personnel not just to control but to serve with sensitivity," added Sharma.
There are 15 GRP police stations across Odisha, with over 700 personnel currently deployed, especially in and around Puri. With an estimated footfall of over 10 lakh devotees for the festival, authorities are bracing for crowd pressure, especially at Puri railway station.
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