Bhubaneswar: With just days to go for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday conducted a high-level review of the preparations at Lok Seva Bhawan and directed officials to ensure seamless coordination and foolproof arrangements for the grand festival.
Chairing the meeting, the Chief Minister stressed the need for constant communication and cooperation among departments to ensure the smooth conduct of the world-famous chariot festival. He said timely decision-making and effective information sharing at every level would be crucial for managing the massive influx of devotees.
Majhi, who had earlier reviewed the preparations in Puri on July 6, reiterated the importance of punctuality, crowd management, fire safety and the safety of devotees and chariots. He said efficient and experienced officers could ensure the successful and orderly conduct of the festival.
The Chief Minister directed senior officials to eliminate communication gaps and remain prepared for any eventuality. He also reviewed arrangements related to cordon management, women’s safety, surveillance of suspects and drug addicts, traffic regulation, food and drinking water quality, emergency evacuation and weather-related contingencies.
Officials informed the meeting that around 12,000 personnel from the Odisha Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed for security duties. The Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have also been placed on alert, while 19 senior IPS officers have been assigned to supervise security arrangements.
To facilitate better communication and monitoring, 473 CCTV cameras and 65 large LED screens have been installed across Puri. Information for devotees will be disseminated in Odia, Hindi and English. Sixteen permanent and several temporary mobile towers have also been set up, along with bulk messaging services.
Special arrangements have been made for divyang and elderly devotees, including help desks to facilitate darshan at the Gundicha Temple. An integrated command and control centre has been established to monitor and coordinate security operations.
Officials said high-mast lights have been installed in parking areas and near barricades, while 1,700 bio-toilets have been arranged for the festival. One volunteer will be deployed for every five toilets to ensure cleanliness. In addition, eight temporary hospitals have been set up to provide immediate medical assistance.
With more than 300 trains scheduled to operate to Puri during the Rath Yatra, the Chief Minister directed officials to provide timely information to passengers, manage crowds effectively and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.
Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and Additional Director General of Police Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi presented detailed reports on the preparations.
The meeting was attended by Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan; Advisor to the Chief Minister Prakash Mishra; Chief Secretary Anu Garg; Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh; Additional Chief Secretary of Home and Information & Public Relations Hemant Sharma; Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania; Director General of Fire Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra; Chief Administrator of SJTA and Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee; secretaries of various departments; senior police officers; and the Puri District Collector and Superintendent of Police.
