First Coordination Meeting Discusses Ratha Yatra 2022 With Likely Attendance of 12 to 15 Lakh Devotees

Puri: The first Coordination Meeting for the world famous Rathya Yatra in Puri concluded today under the chairmanship of Central Division Revenue Divisional Commissioner Suresh Chandra Dalei. The meeting was attended by Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi, Central Range IG Narasingha Bhol, Collector Samarth Verma, SP Kanwar Vishal Singh, Director Culture, senior servitors of Sri Jagannath Temple and other officials. Keeping in view the likelihood of the attendance of about 12 to 15 lakh people during the Ratha Yatra, the administration is taking every possible step to make it totally hassle free. All the Departments have been instructed to complete the preparations before time keeping in mind the large number of devotees who will have a chance to attend the Ratha Yatra after two years. The world famous Ratha Yatra was out of bounds for the general public and devotees due to the Pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

During the meeting, the DC has instructed the officials of the Municipality, Water, Works, Sanitation and other departments to work in coordination and complete various pending works. It was also decided in the meeting that the Sri Jagannath Bana Prakalpa will be restarted this year to ensure availability of wood for the chariot making in future.

The meeting also held detailed discussions on the progress of the chariot making for this year’s Ratha Yatra. The time table or the Niti Nirghanta of the Snana Purnima and Ratha Yatra will be discussed on the 25th of this month at the Niti Subcommittee and CHattisha Nijoga meeting.

It was also decided that the 70 vacant posts of doctors in Puri will be filled up before the Yatra. More ambulances will also be placed at various spots in the city during the Yatra. Twenty nine ambulances and fourteen first aid centers will also be there at the Badadanda for the devotees. The administration will also engage five food inspectors to check for water quality, food adulteration, etc., during the Yatra time. All the drains are being cleaned in the city and 481 temporary toilets will be opened in every nook and corner of the city.

During the Ratha Yatra, 120 drinking water posts will be opened and 30 tankers will be ready with drinking water at all major areas of the city. The meeting also discussed about uninterrupted power supply during the festivities and asked Tata Power to take up maintenance work of all electrical infrastructure.

All the roads in Puri totaling to 63 kilometers length will be repaired before 20th of June 2022. Parking facilities will be made at 29 places in the city. The Puri police has also made elaborate arrangements for managing crowd during the Ratha Yatra, control of law and order situation, movement of VIPs, and managing traffic in the city.

During the Debasnana Purnima, while 65 platoons of forces will be deployed, 200 DSPs, and 50 Addl SPs will be engaged to oversee the law and order. CCTV Cameras will be installed on the Badadanda and its connecting roads.