PURI, Apr 20 : A high-level coordination meeting on Saturday discussed the necessary preparations for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, to be held on July 7.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Ranjan Kumar Dash presided over the meeting.
The Debasnana Purnima will be observed on May 10, followed by the Rath Yatra on July 7, Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival) on July 15, and Sunavesha on July 17.
The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the current state of health services and power supply in the town. The temple administration reported that the timber required for the construction of three chariots is being sawed at a government sawmill in Khapuria, Cuttack.
The shortage of Phasi timber logs will not impede chariot construction, as approximately 43 devotees from Nayagarh and Ranpur have agreed to donate their seasoned trees for this purpose, the temple administration said during the meeting.
Chariot construction will commence from the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya. The administration has approached the Tamil Nadu government to procure quality sandalwood for the deities. Cloth for covering the three chariots has been procured, while ropes for pulling the chariots have been provided by the Odisha State Coir Corporation.
The meeting resolved to provide life insurance to all devotees. Those who lose their lives in mishaps during the Rath Yatra will be given Rs. 5 lakh, which also covers the temple servitors.
Special sunstroke treatment units will operate in each Primary Health Center (PHC), and six beds will be available at the district headquarters hospital to address heatwave conditions and hot summer, health department officials said.
.Adequate healthcare services, including ambulances, doctors, and support staff, will be deployed. All hospital positions, including those for doctors, will be filled before the festival.
The meeting directed Tata Power to ensure continuous power supply at the earliest. The civic body has been tasked with drain cleaning and sanitation work. Additionally, the meeting addressed the supply of essential commodities, piped water supply, and town-wide illumination.
Corporate houses will provide over 40 lakh drinking water bottles for distribution among devotees during the festival, compared to 25 lakh bottles provided last year. Railway officials have assured the operation of more special trains during the festival.
Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra stated that over 1000 officers and 180 platoons of police force were engaged in last year’s Rath Yatra. Special emphasis will be placed on effective crowd control, regulation of vehicular traffic and parking, as well as the security of devotees, VIPs, and the deities.
District Magistrate Sidharth Shankar Swain chaired the meeting attended by IGP Central Range Sanjay Kaushal and officials from all concerned departments. (UNI)
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