Puri Gears Up for Rath Yatra as Law Minister Reviews Final Blueprint

Advertisement

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra scheduled for July 16, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday to finalize the grand preparations for the mega festival. The important highlight of the review was the confirmation of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee that the construction of the three grand wooden chariots is going on smoothly and now in its last stages. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling was also present in the meeting. Heads of various departments were present to ensure a smooth, secure and hassle-free experience for millions of devotees arriving.

On the security and crowd control front, the enforcement layout is exceptionally tight. Additional DG Soumendra Priyadarshi announced the deployment of 220 platoons of police personnel, alongside specialized National Security Guard commandos and tactical units. To keep a constant eye on the massive crowds, 475 high-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed across the town and along the Grand Road (Bada Danda). To ensure safety, authorities are identifying 28 strategic emergency exit points along Bada Danda, establishing a dedicated green corridor for ambulances and launching the Yatri Sahayata App to assist pilgrims in easily navigating traffic, parking and essential services.

To handle the immense influx of travelers, the East Coast Railway is planning a massive transit operation, running around 1,200 trains including 370 special trains directly to Puri during the nine-day festival. A massive pilgrim holding area capable of accommodating 25,000 people will be set up right near the Puri railway station, secured by 800 Railway Protection Force and 1,500 Government Railway Police personnel. However, transit management will face a slight bottleneck, as railway officials noted that the under-construction Matiapara overbridge on the Puri-Konark Marine Drive road is unlikely to be completed before the festival begins.

Advertisement

The medical infrastructure is getting a massive upgrade to tackle any health emergencies or extreme heat conditions during the festival. The state health department is adding 200 operational hospital beds and establishing a permanent burn unit at the District Headquarters Hospital. At least 230 more doctors and medical specialists will be in active deployment with 30 first-aid stations dotted across Puri and quick response medical teams on standby.

Civic amenities are also being heavily reinforced to maintain hygiene and manage public infrastructure. The municipality has already completed two full rounds of drain cleaning throughout the town and will station heavy-duty water suction pumps at key areas to quickly clear waterlogging if heavy rains hit. For public convenience, 1,600 mobile toilets will be set up across various zones, and 23 temporary parking yards are being developed to systematically manage the heavy volume of incoming tourist and pilgrim vehicles.

Also Read: Bhubaneswar prepares for Vice President’s visit

Advertisement