Puri: The devotees are likely to be allowed to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri this year.
Briefing the media after the first preparatory meeting for the grand festival, Puri Collector Samarth Verma informed that the Rath Yatra will be held with the participation of devotees, if the COVID-19 situation remains stable in the State.
In view of the COVID-19 situation, there are two plans being prepared for the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra this year, he said.
In the first plan, the devotees will be allowed to participate in the festival if the COVID-19 situation remains stable in the State. On the other hand, if the COVID-19 cases rise, the Rath Yatra will be conducted without the participation of devotees like the previous two years, the Collector said.
Large gatherings of devotees can be expected for the Rath Yatra if the Covid-19 situation is under control. About 1.5 or 2 times more devotees than the previous years are expected during the annual festival this year, he said.
All line departments have been asked to make arrangements accordingly, Verma added.