Bhubaneswar: With the Rath Yatra set to be held on July 16, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday launched an extensive lighting and electrical safety drive across the city and along the Puri-bound corridor. The civic body is replacing damaged poles and cables, installing high-mast lights, and carrying out repair works to ensure uninterrupted illumination during the festival.
As part of the preparations, BMC, in coordination with Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), conducted a special survey in areas where the festival will be celebrated. Based on the findings, weak and hazardous electric poles have been replaced, while new poles are being installed in localities that previously lacked electricity infrastructure.
At a preparatory meeting held earlier, Mayor Sulochana Das and BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana directed the BMC Electricity Department and TPCODL to complete all electrical repair works before the commencement of the annual festival. Officials have also been instructed to take all precautionary measures to prevent electrical mishaps during the celebrations.
The civic body is simultaneously removing hanging cables and repairing damaged electric wires under the supervision of the three zonal commissioners. The works are progressing in full swing, officials said.
On Thursday evening, a high-mast light was inaugurated in front of the Ayurvedic Hospital under Ward No. 22. Bhubaneswar North MLA Susant Kumar Rout, Mayor Sulochana Das, Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar and BMC Electricity Sub-Division Executive Engineer Er. Varsha Pradhan attended the programme.
Later, the mayor inaugurated additional high-mast lights near Lingaraj Market, Palaspalli, Poonama Gate and Spring Tank in Ward No. 52. Chairpersons of various standing committees, local corporators, senior BMC officials, representatives of different organisations and local residents were also present on the occasion.
Keeping in view the influx of devotees travelling to the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, BMC has also intensified lighting works along the stretch from Hi-Tech Chowk on the Cuttack-Puri Bypass to Lingipur. Defunct streetlights are being repaired, new bulbs are being installed, and damaged cables are being replaced to ensure seamless illumination.
The Puri-bound corridor is one of the major routes used by devotees from within and outside the state. Commissioner Rana has directed officials to ensure that no stretch of the road remains in darkness during the festival period.
