Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a comprehensive health and medical action plan for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of devotees expected to attend the annual festival.
According to an official press release, this year’s healthcare preparedness has been significantly upgraded, with 265 additional hospital beds—a considerable jump from 140 beds last year. These include 100 new beds at the Government ANMTC in Puri and 15 ICU beds at TB & IDH Hospital. The District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Puri, has reserved 68 beds, including 50 general beds, 8 burn ward beds, and 10 ICU beds.
To manage medical emergencies, two minor operation theatres and specialized dressing rooms have been set up. A stock of 200 units of blood has been secured at the DHH Blood Bank. For the first time, a dedicated medical team from AIIMS Bhubaneswar will be stationed at Puri to provide advanced support during the festivities.
A network of 69 First Aid Centres will be functional during the festival period, with 32 run by the government from June 27 to July 8, and 37 supported by NGOs. These will operate 24×7, staffed with MBBS/AYUSH doctors, pharmacists, and support staff.
Strategic locations include:
- 9 centres along Grand Road (Lions Gate to Gundicha Temple)
- 8 centres on Puri-Bhubaneswar Road
- 5 centres at sea beach locations, including Swargadwar and Lighthouse
- 4 centres on Puri-Konark Road
- 2 centres near the Puri Railway Station
Additionally, a 10-bedded air-conditioned Heat Stroke Centre has been established at Talabania to manage heat-related ailments.
A total of 74 ambulances—31 government and 43 NGO-operated—will be strategically deployed. All 108 emergency ambulances will remain on alert, operating along dedicated ambulance corridors with NGO support.
378 Additional Health Personnel Deployed
To reinforce medical response, 378 additional health professionals have been mobilized from other districts. The team includes:
- 4 specialists (2 cardiologists, 2 neurosurgeons)
- 98 General Duty Doctors
- 15 AIIMS doctors
- 50 AYUSH Medical Officers
- 1 epidemiologist, 1 microbiologist
- 50 pharmacists, 50 medical staff
- 30 nursing officers
- 5 food safety officers
- 24 drivers for medical transportation
Health surveillance has been ramped up, with 249 inspections of food establishments conducted, resulting in the disposal of 494 kg of unsafe food. Authorities have collected 84 food samples, 22 water samples, and conducted 10 stool culture tests and 82 water quality checks.
Three dedicated teams, under eight Food Safety Officers, are covering high-footfall areas for continuous food and water sample testing. Two Rapid Response Teams are on standby for outbreak control, while the third phase of drinking water source disinfection is in progress.
An extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign has been rolled out, promoting public health awareness on hygiene, ORS use, COVID-19 precautions, and the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Key outreach activities include:
- Distribution of 3 lakh leaflets
- Installation of 38 hoardings
- Display of 54 IEC banners at First Aid Centres
- Organization of 18 folk shows (Pala and Ghoda Nacha)
- A dedicated health exhibition stall at Badasankha
Control Room and Zonal Surveillance
A 24×7 Rath Yatra Health Control Room has been set up to coordinate medical services and handle emergencies. The control room can be reached at +91 6370560247 or 06752-222175.
Puri district has been categorized into high-, medium-, and low-risk zones based on crowd density:
- High-risk zones: Bus Stand, Badasankha, Sea Beach (Digabareni to Chaitanya Chhak), Medical Square, etc.
- Medium-risk zones: Konark, Pipili, Nimapada, Gop, and adjoining areas
- Low-risk zones: Brahmagiri, Mirzapur, Satpada
Regular surveillance, hygiene checks, licensing of food outlets, and potable water inspections are being conducted across these zones in compliance with the FSS Act.
