BHUBANESWAR: As a controlled Covid situation has ignited the hope of celebration of Rath Yatra amid devotees after two years on July 1, the district administration expects a footfall of around 12 to 15 lakh to the mega religious event. The pandemic had forced the government to ban the participation of devotees in Rath Yatra in 2020 and 2021.
The Puri district administration held a preparatory meeting with the officials of different departments on Thursday for smooth conduct of the nine-day annual festival. The administration said they would keep two plans — Rath Yatra with devotees and without devotees — in readiness.
“If the Covid situation remains under control and devotees are allowed to take part in Rath Yatra, we will be ready with a proper and foolproof plan. If Covid situation turns grave in the next two months, we will be prepared to conduct the festival amid restrictions (without devotees),” Puri district collector Samarth Verma said.
Nearly 6 to 7 lakh devotees used to throng Puri on Rath Yatra in the past. This time, the turnout of devotees may swell two times as compared to the number of devotees, who participated in the past. “We need to make massive preparations and put in place logistical support to deal with the crowd. Accommodation, drinking water, healthcare facilities, sanitation, mobility and uninterrupted power supply for devotees tops the agenda,” Verma said.
Puri police said crowd control, traffic regulation and identification of adequate parking lots would be his focus areas. “Safety and security of the visitors would be our priority. A detailed security arrangement is being prepared to ensure a hassle-free Rath Yatra. We would also make infrastructure ready for the stay of our forces and officers,” a senior police officer said.
The construction of chariots began on the occasion of Akshaya Trutiya on Tuesday. The carpenters have been working in two shifts from morning to evening. “We have arranged basic amenities for them. Shades, fans and drinking water facilities have been made at the Ratha Khala, the workplace where the construction of the chariots is underway. We have also installed CCTV cameras at Ratha Khala,” Verma said.
