Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the ensuing Rath Yatra, the Ministry of Railways has decided to provide convenience to the devotees coming to Puri by Rail.
According to an official press release issued by the East Coast Railway (ECoR), safety, security and additional services of Rath Yatra special trains have been planned along with sanitation and cleanliness of station premises in view of the huge congregation.
Opening of a round-the-clock Control Room to look into passengers’ issues as well as smooth train operations. Emphasis is to be given on effective announcements at the station and smooth disbursal of tickets through additional ticket booking counters. Traffic & other arrangements and facilities at en route stations have been given attention.
ECoR is extensively prepared for the Rath Yatra arrangements. The measures to be implemented by Railways during Rath Yatra are: Crowd Management, Train Information System/Enquiry Counters, Video Walls Display, UTS on Mobile App, Additional Ticket Booking Counters and Mobile Ticket Counters, Pilgrim Waiting Area/Shed and Mela Shed to accommodate 15000 pilgrims & devotees, Security Arrangements, Catering & Hospitality, Medical Facilities & Ambulance, as well as the provision of power supply, water supply, cleanliness, security, drinking water, and sufficient toilets for the convenience of passengers. Railways aim to carry 15 lakh passengers to and from Puri during the festival.
Apart from this, Special Trains will be run by using an AI-based dynamic Scheduling System.
Special Trains:
Railways will be running more than 315 Special Trains from almost all parts of Odisha and from neighbouring States like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. A large number of extra coaches will be put into service in order to run these special trains. Elaborate arrangements have been made for cleaning and watering of trains to ensure a pleasant and comfortable journey. Special Train will also run by using an AI-based dynamic Scheduling System.
Extra Ticket Counters:
In order to handle the large number of pilgrims, additional ticket counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station round-the-clock. Similarly, in order to handle the additional rush of pilgrims at other stations, additional booking counters will be opened at peak hours at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khurda Road, Brahmapur, Balugaon, Khalokot, Paradeep, Bhadrak and Jajpur Keonjhar Road along with other important other Stations in its jurisdiction.
Enquiry Counters and Information Centers:
Additional enquiry counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station in addition to existing counters. These counters will be strategically located in the circulating area and near the temporary entry point at the extreme end of the platform.
Passenger Help Desks will be set up near the buffer ends of Platforms in order to guide the passengers. Passengers can also enquire about the train running information, medical assistance, security assistance, etc.
Timetable and Publicity:
A number of Train Timetable Boards will be put up at strategically conspicuous locations at Puri Railway Station and other important locations. Train Indication Boards, indicating the schedule of trains along with platform departure will be functioning in Mela Shed and other locations at Puri Railway Station. Wide publicity of special trains to be run during the Rath Yatra will be made through the PA System installed at Puri Railway Station. In addition, leaflets will be distributed amongst the passengers at the railway stations to educate the passengers regarding Rath Yatra arrangements made by the Railways.
Mela Shed:
A large number of devotees are expected to arrive at the Puri railway station from various locations in and outside the State round-the-clock. In order to provide them with resting and toilet/ bathing facility, a temporary Mela shed is being erected at the Puri railway station to accommodate devotees. Permanent Mela Shed and Temporary Mela Shed will accommodate 15 Thousand Devotees/Pilgrims at a time.
Catering and Drinking water:
In addition to a Food Plaza at Puri Railway station, arrangements are being made for selling of Tea, Snacks, Water bottles and Janata meal. A number of drinking water taps are available on PFs of Puri Railway Station. Water Coolers are also available for ensuring cold potable water to the passengers. Additional food stalls will be functioning at major en-route stations.
Sanitation:
Sufficient supervisors and staff will be deputed round the clock to ensure proper cleanliness and sanitation in the station premises including the Mela shed and the circulating area.
Medical Assistance:
The Medical Assistance Booth will be functioning in the circulating area of Puri Railway Station around the clock. It will be manned by adequate doctors, nurses and other para-medical staff and will have an Ambulance service as well.
Illumination:
Adequate arrangements are being made by railways to ensure uninterrupted power supply at Puri railway station for ensuring non-stop functioning of lights, fans, electric equipment and other passenger amenity services.
LC Gate Management:
Considering the heavy flow of road traffic through LC gates, additional manpower including GRP personnel, will be deployed at the L.C.Gates to ensure trouble-free movement of train services and road vehicles.
Humble Services offered during the yatra:
Like in previous years, railways will be providing a trained workforce, and breakdown attention tools such as Jacks etc., to attend to any possible breakdown of Chariots during the Rath Yatra and also to assist in the turning of the chariots.
Safety and Security:
Considering the large congregation of devotees at Puri Railway Station, elaborate safety arrangements are being made. Large contingents of RPF, sniffer dogs and GRP would be mobilized for round-the-clock deployment. Fire service personnel will be available along with Fire Tenders at the station. Adequate Fire extinguishers have been made available at strategic locations.
CCTV Cameras will be installed covering the entire length and breadth of Puri railway station in order to keep a close watch against anti-social activities. Apart from this, Steps have been taken for Crowd Management.
