Bhubaneswar: With millions of devotees expected to visit Puri for the annual Rath Yatra, the Crime Investigation Department-Crime Branch (CID-CB), Odisha, has launched a comprehensive Cyber Safety Awareness Campaign to protect pilgrims and tourists from online fraud during the festival.

The initiative, launched on the direction of Odisha Director General of Police (DGP), aims to raise awareness about cybercrime, promote safe online practices, and ensure prompt assistance in the event of any cyber-related incident during Rath Yatra 2026.

As part of the campaign, a dedicated Cyber Safety Awareness Vehicle, popularly called the Cyber Rath, will be flagged off in Puri on the evening of July 11, 2026. The vehicle will travel across the pilgrimage town, spreading cyber safety messages and distributing awareness materials among pilgrims, tourists, hotel owners, local residents and other stakeholders.

The campaign will focus on educating visitors about emerging cyber threats, particularly online booking scams, digital payment frauds and fake websites that typically surface during major religious events.

CID-CB intensifies crackdown on fake hotel booking websites

To strengthen preventive measures, the CID-CB will also hold a coordination meeting with the Puri Hotel Owners' Association at 6 pm on July 11 at the Puri Reserve Police Line. The meeting aims to enhance cooperation in preventing fake hotel booking frauds and encourage genuine accommodation providers to actively disseminate cyber safety advisories to visiting pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the CID-CB's Social Media Unit has intensified surveillance of online platforms to identify and block fraudulent websites and social media pages linked to Rath Yatra.

According to official data, the unit has so far identified and blocked 212 fake hotel websites and 26 fake hotel webpages in 2026. In June alone, authorities blocked 50 fake hotel websites and 26 fake hotel webpages, highlighting the increasing threat of online accommodation scams ahead of the festival.

Odisha Police has urged devotees and tourists to remain vigilant while making online hotel bookings and digital transactions. Authorities have appealed to visitors to follow official cyber safety advisories and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure a safe, secure and cyber-aware Rath Yatra 2026.