Jagannath Temple authorities in Ahmedabad on Friday said the Rath Yatra to be held on July 1 would take the traditional route.

This despite the recent killing of two gangsters who had allegedly come to disrupt the event.

Temple trustee Mahendra Jha said: "We have obtained the necessary permissions from the state government, which has also assured adequate security cover along the entire route of the yatra."

The procession, which will travel 38km, passes through several sensitive areas of the city.

Last year's yatra, organised in the backdrop of the communal violence in Gujarat, was mired in controversy. Several organisations wanted the route to be changed to avoid friction between Hindus and Muslims.

"There is no controversy this year. People of all communities have equal respect for the yatra and looking at their fervour during the procession, one cannot distinguish whether one is Muslim or Hindu," he said.

Jha said 16 decorated elephants would lead the procession while 98 trucks would follow it along with 30 akhadas and 25 bhajan mandalis.

Nearly 1,200 people called khalisis will pull the chariot, he added.