Puri: In a major relief for devotees visiting Puri during the annual Rath Yatra, the Odisha Government will provide free auto-rickshaw services from the main bus stand to Bada Danda (Grand Road), the central stretch where the iconic chariot procession of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra takes place.
The announcement was made by Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena after the second coordination meeting held in Puri to review the city’s readiness for the upcoming festival.
“To ensure smooth movement and convenience for devotees, auto-rickshaws will ferry passengers from the bus stand directly to Bada Danda for free,” the minister said.
In anticipation of the massive footfall during Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra (the return journey of the deities), and Sunabesha (the golden attire ritual), a temporary bus stand will be set up at Talabania. This arrangement is aimed at decongesting central Puri and streamlining pilgrim transportation during peak days.
Additionally, the minister announced that 250 special buses will be granted permits to operate in and around Puri during the festival period. A fare chart for these buses will be displayed prominently to ensure transparency and help pilgrims plan their travel better.
These transport measures are part of a broader effort by the Odisha Government to ensure hassle-free darshan and festival experience for the lakhs of devotees expected to attend this year’s Rath Yatra.
