Finance
With only a few days until the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a high-level review of preparations at Lok Seva Bhawan on Friday, directing authorities to ensure flawless coordination and failsafe arrangements for the great celebration.
The Chief Minister, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of regular communication and cooperation among departments to ensure the success of the world-famous chariot event. He stated that rapid decision-making and efficient information exchange at all levels will be critical to handle the enormous influx of devotees. He said efficient and experienced officers could ensure the successful and orderly conduct of the festival.
Majhi, who had previously examined the preparations in Puri on July 6, emphasized the need of punctuality, crowd management, fire safety, and the safety of devotees and carts.
The Chief Minister urged senior authorities to fix communication gaps and prepare for any scenario. He also evaluated cordon management plans, women’s safety, suspect and drug addict surveillance, traffic regulation, food and drinking water quality, emergency evacuation, and weather-related contingencies.
Officials informed the gathering that approximately 12,000 men from the Odisha Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) had been deployed for security purposes. The Coast Guard and Indian Navy have also been put on alert, with 19 senior IPS officers deployed to oversee security procedures.
To improve communication and monitoring, 473 CCTV cameras and 65 huge LED screens have been put around 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 accommodations have been made for divyang and elderly worshipers, including help desks for darshan at the Gundicha Temple. An integrated command and control centre has been set up to monitor and coordinate security actions.
Officials stated high-mast lights have been put in parking lots and near barricades, and 1,700 bio-toilets have been set up for the festival. To ensure cleaning, one volunteer would be assigned for every five toilets. In addition, eight temporary hospitals have been established to provide rapid medical care.
With over 300 trains planned to go to Puri during the Rath Yatra, the Chief Minister urged officials to deliver timely information to passengers, properly control crowds, and make all essential arrangements.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), and Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, Additional Director General of Police, provided thorough preparation reports.
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.
