Bhubaneswar: Millions of devotees are expected to visit Shreekshetra Puri during the world-famous Ratha Yatra. To ensure smooth transportation for devotees, the State Transport Authority (STA) organized a coordination meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting, held at the authority’s headquarters under the chairmanship of Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, was attended by representatives from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), police authorities and the Bus Owners Association. Various aspects to facilitate devotees’ transportation to and from Puri were discussed and important decisions were made unanimously.
As in previous years, special permits will be issued for buses from other routes to Puri for RathaYatra, BahudaYatra, and SunaBesha. Interested bus owners can apply for permits, which will be approved through a single-window system at the STA headquarters.
Special emphasis will be given to increasing the number of buses from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to Puri. The Transport Commissioner urged the Bus Owners Association to ensure that no bus charges fares higher than the fixed rate. Any instance of overcharging will be dealt with according to the law.
Not only buses, but auto-rickshaws and other vehicles travelling from Malatipatpur or Talabania to Bada Danda should also refrain from overcharging. Puri Police and Puri RTO will monitor this closely. Temporary rest sheds will be set up at bus stops, with arrangements for food and water distribution by the administration. Lighting along the roads will also be ensured.
Buses will be equipped with first aid kits and an adequate supply of ORS, provided by the STA. Special permit buses will be exempt from toll fees at toll gates, fulfilling a long-standing demand of bus owners. NHAI representatives present at the meeting were requested to take necessary steps in this regard.
Police assistance will be provided at bus stops to ensure no harassment of passengers. Strict action will be taken against anti-social elements, with dedicated teams monitoring the facilities at bus stands in Puri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other cities. Additionally, CCTV cameras will be installed at Talabania in Puri. Out-of-state vehicles will stay at Malatipatpur.
For the convenience of passengers and vehicles during RathaYatra, a 24-hour control room will be set up in Puri by the RTO. Vehicle breakdown services in collaboration with various companies, crane and ambulance facilities will also be available.
Special attention will be given to maintaining orderly traffic. Dedicated teams will monitor critical points on national highways, especially areas prone to congestion like Palasuni and Hansapal.
All steps will be taken to provide excellent service to the public with the cooperation of all departments, vehicle owners, and employees, said the Transport Commissioner. Intelligent Enforcement Management System will be operational from Bhubaneswar to Puri to prevent reckless driving during RathaYatra.
The coordination meeting was conducted by Additional Transport Commissioner Lal Mohan Sethi, while Joint Transport Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Mohanty offered a vote of thanks.
