PURI, June 26 : The Rath Yatra preparation committee meeting chaired by Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Wednesday resolved to keep all preparedness for the second day of the Puri Rath Yatra on July 8.
This year, the annual Puri Rath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 7.
As per temple traditions, this year the Netra Utsav, Nabajouban darshan, and Rath Yatra have been clubbed together to be observed on the day of the Rath Yatra.
As there will be little time left for the pulling of all three chariots to its destination-Gundicha Temple on July 7-the pulling of chariots will be done on the next day, July 8.
The meeting directed the health administration to keep 100 beds for the stroke victims, as well as beds in the burn ward of the hospital, and to deploy an adequate number of doctors and other support staff for the fete.
Railway sources said about 150 pairs of special trains will run to Puri during the festival. The bus service to Puri will be increased to meet the demands of the devotees who are expected to visit Puri to witness the Rath Yatra and Sunavesha of Lord Jagannath.
As many as eighteen temporary parking places will be developed for the pilgrim buses at various places in the town and downtown areas.
This apart, the law minister asked to ensure supply of drinking water, continuous power supply, illumination of the festival venue Grand Road, popularly known as Badadanda, and other places of the town, and to streamline the transport system.
CCTV cameras will be installed at various strategic places to monitor the crowd from an integrated control room.
Hundreds of lifeguards will be deployed along the Puri beach to prevent drowning in the sea.
The Coast Guard vessels will patrol along the Puri coast during the festival, while the Police forces will be deployed inside the temple and Sri Mandir Parikrama.
Special arrangements will be made as President of India Draupadi Murmu visits Puri to witness the car festival.
State Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Additional Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar, Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, Temple Chief Chief Administrator Vir Vikram Yadav, senior servants, and senior citizens were present in the meeting.
Puri District Magistrate Sidharth Shankar Swain presented the report of the preparations in the meeting.(UNI)
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