Odisha: Law Minister Chairs High-Level Meeting on Rath Yatra Preparations
Preparations for the Rath Yatra are expected to intensify further in the coming days as various departments begin implementing the arrangements discussed during the meeting
Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting on preparations for the upcoming nine-day Rath Yatra was held in Bhubaneswar on Friday under the chairmanship of Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, with focus on ensuring the smooth, disciplined and peaceful conduct of the annual festival in Puri.
The important meeting was convened here at the State Guest House ahead of the world-famous festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad every year.
Puri Collector, Superintendent of Police, senior officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and representatives of servitor groups attended the meeting.
Sources said detailed discussions were held on coordination among various government departments, administrative officials and servitors to ensure the smooth conduct of rituals and festival-related arrangements during the Yatra.
This year, the Rath Yatra festival will begin with Gundicha Yatra on July 16.
The meeting focused on maintaining peace, discipline and proper management during the Rath Yatra and associated rituals. Officials reportedly deliberated on crowd management, traffic regulation, security deployment and emergency response measures in view of the massive turnout of devotees expected this year.
Arrangements related to drinking water, sanitation, healthcare services, fire safety and other civic amenities in Puri were also reviewed during the discussion.
Special emphasis was reportedly laid on coordination among police, district administration, temple authorities and servitor groups to avoid any confusion during rituals and chariot-related proceedings.
The meeting assumes significance ahead of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s scheduled review of Rath Yatra preparations in Puri next week.
Nearly two million devotees from across the country and abroad arrive in Puri to witness the grand Rath Yatra celebration of Lord Jagannath.
Governor Hari Babu Khambampati, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his ministerial colleagues, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram and Ashwini Vaishnaw, and many other top dignitaries are most likely to attend the grand divine celebration.
Preparations for the Rath Yatra are expected to intensify further in the coming days as various departments begin implementing the arrangements discussed during the meeting.
