Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 25: Amid threats of disruption of Nabakalebara Bahuda Yatra rituals slated for Sunday, the state government vowed to make all out efforts to make the mega event hassle-free. The return journey of the Trinity must go uninterrupted, said Chief Secretary G C Pati after taking stock of the overall situation in Puri, Saturday.
Pati has asked the authorities concerned to ensure all rituals are completed on time. Speaking to officials at Circuit House in Puri, he advised them to complete all rituals at Gundicha temple on time so that customary events of the return yatra (Bahuda) could be completed as per schedule.
Meanwhile, the authorities were advised to take care of the safety of visitors who are likely to flock the Gundicha temple and Grand Road for the return festival. According to official indication, the number of people visiting Puri may double compared to that of last year’s.
Adequate measures which can facilitate the smooth functioning of the Bahuda Yatra have been put under focus. The meeting discussed special security arrangements to tackle threats from within and outside.
Special task force units, disaster management teams, fire personnel in adequate numbers will be deployed to keep a watch on trouble mongers during the event. Meanwhile, a two-tier barricade system has been set up to ensure smooth flow of crowd during the return festival and Sunabesha, a day after.
Nevertheless, the transport arrangements have been streamlined as it were during the Rath Yatra. Vehicles from outside will be stopped at Malatipatpur and commuters will be taken to Talabania in free shuttle service buses to ensure traffic gridlock checks.
The Information and Public Relations department has arranged volunteers at Puri railway stations and Talabania to guide tourists about the festival and traffic. Dedicated information kiosks will ensure information to the devotees. An Integrated Control System on phone number 100 has also been made available for people in distress.
Meanwhile, to ensure cleanliness, teams from Bhubaneswar and Puri civic bodies have been deployed. As the Met department has predicted rains, the civic bodies have been asked to ensure the city drains do not clog.
In order to provide safe drinking water in the Pilgrim city, the Public Health Department has arranged 12 water tanks to supply water pouches to the devotees during the Bahuda yatra. The review meeting was attended by Puri collector Aravind Agrawal, SJTA administrator Suresh Mohapatra and police and civic body officers.
