PURI, July 1 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today directed officials to strictly adhere to security protocols during the remaining days of the Puri Rath Yatra festival, focusing on the safe conduct of chariot pulling, devotee safety, traffic management, and fire services.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Puri with officials and representatives of servitor bodies,
the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth and safe completion of the
upcoming rituals.
“I am deeply shocked by the unfortunate incidents that occurred during the first two days of the
Rath Yatra,” Majhi said, adding that Development Commissioner Anu Garg has been tasked with investigating the incidents.
The Chief Minister stressed that the administration’s top priority is the smooth conduct of the remaining key rituals-Hera Panchami, Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival), Sunavesha,
Adharpana, and Niladri Bije.
Majhi said elaborate arrangements have been made for the timely performance of rituals and to ensure hassle-free darshan (viewing) for the thousands of devotees arriving in Puri.
He instructed the administration to provide adequate facilities to the devotees and implement real-time crowd estimation and control systems.
He also ordered a reduction in the issuance of cordon passes, making them non-transferable to prevent misuse.
Additional police personnel and volunteers will be deployed along Badadanda and around the chariots for effective crowd management, he added.
Vehicle movement along the Puri Bhubaneswar route will be closely monitored, and unauthorised vehicles will be barred from entering Badadanda. A ban on carrying inflammable materials along the Grand Road will also be enforced. Encroachments on public spaces and roads are to be removed immediately.
The Chief Minister appealed to servitors not to crowd around the deities during the Sunavesha, to ensure devotees get a clear view of the rare ceremonial attire of the deities.
“I am aware that the servitors have some demands,” Majhi acknowledged, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed after the festival concludes.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister held discussions with senior officials including Special Secretary Saswat Mishra, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP Y.B. Khurania, SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabind Padhee, Rath Yatra In-charge Arabind Agarwal, District Magistrate Chanchal Rana, and SP Pinak Mishra.
In the second phase of his review, he met with the office-bearers and senior members of Chhatisha Nijog, the confederation of all servitor bodies of the Srimandir, urging their full cooperation for the successful conduct of the remaining rituals.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan was also present at the meeting.
)UNI)
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