BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday directed all departments to complete preparations for the Puri Rath Yatra by June 30, while reviewing the progress of infrastructure, sanitation, health, transport, and security arrangements for the annual festival scheduled to be held on July 16.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan, Garg assessed the status of works being undertaken by various departments to ensure the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra and the convenience of lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri during the festival.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Hemant Sharma, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, departmental secretaries, senior police officers, and district officials.
Reviewing decisions made during an earlier April meeting, officials discussed progress on responsibilities assigned to different departments. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration informed the meeting that all timber required for the construction of the three chariots had arrived within the stipulated time.
Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida and Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh made detailed presentations on preparations undertaken so far. The chief secretary stressed the need for the timely execution of all works well ahead of the festival.
The review covered improvement of the Grand Road (Bada Danda) and roads connecting Puri, development of parking facilities, installation of temporary toilets, drinking water and sanitation arrangements, power supply, rail and road transport services, crowd management, and law-and-order measures.
Officials informed the meeting that route plans have been prepared to facilitate the smooth movement of ambulances during the festival. Installation of high-mast lights along the Grand Road is underway, while beautification works at the Gundicha Temple and improvement of roads along the seafront are also progressing.
Bio-toilets are being installed, and parking infrastructure is being developed at Samanga. Secretaries of various departments have already visited Puri to review field-level progress and take necessary measures.
The Health Department has identified locations for eight additional temporary health centres equipped with beds to meet emergency medical requirements during the festival. The Works Department and Puri Municipal Corporation have also identified temporary parking sites, where improvement works are currently in progress.
The Puri collector informed the meeting that encroachment removal drives along the Grand Road are continuing in phases and are expected to be completed within the stipulated timeline. The tender process for the installation of 1,600 temporary toilets has been completed, and the facilities are expected to be ready before the festival.
