Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has put in place extensive transport arrangements to facilitate smooth and hassle-free travel for devotees visiting Puri during the annual Rath Yatra festivities.
Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the preparedness of the Transport Department for the mega religious event, which includes Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha.
As part of the arrangements, around 1,000 buses will be deployed from different parts of the state to ferry devotees to the Holy City. The department will issue temporary permits to these buses to ensure uninterrupted transportation services during the festival period.
To streamline traffic management and commuter convenience, parking facilities will be established at Malatipatpur and Talabania on the outskirts of Puri. Help desks will also be set up at the Baramunda Bus Terminal in Bhubaneswar and the Netaji Bus Terminal in Cuttack to assist pilgrims.
In a significant relief measure, toll fees will not be collected from buses at the Pipili toll gate during the festival, enabling faster and smoother movement of vehicles carrying devotees.
The Transport Department said the Puri district administration has been requested to provide essential amenities such as rest sheds, drinking water and other basic facilities at Malatipatpur and Talabania. Shuttle bus services will also be operated between Malatipatpur and Puri to facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
The Transport Commissioner directed private bus operators to prominently display fare charts inside their vehicles and warned of strict action against operators found overcharging passengers.
To ensure road safety and enforce transport regulations, special enforcement squads will be deployed at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Ganjam, Balasore, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, Chandikhol, Dhenkanal and Angul. Officials have also been instructed to conduct regular patrolling along National Highway-16 and National Highway-316 to curb rash driving and other violations during the festival period.
The measures are aimed at ensuring safe, efficient and comfortable travel for the large number of devotees expected to participate in one of Odisha’s biggest religious festivals.
