Servitors, who had earlier boycotted a Rath Yatra coordination meeting, attended the Saturday’s meet, but preferred to keep mum
Puri: Ahead of the annual car festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday sought cooperation from priests, officials and people for the smooth conduct of the Ratha Yatra June 25.
Patnaik, who reviewed the progress of preparation for the mega festival, asked the officials to ensure that the systems were in place much before the mega event. “Lord Jagannath is the real identity of Oriya people. The annual Rath Yatra is an opportunity to showcase Jagannath culture and greatness of the Holy City before the world,” the Chief Minister said.
He also reviewed the status of different activities and projects including chariot construction, road repair, health, sanitation and power connection. He asked officials to emphasise timely completion of rituals and hassle-free darshan for the devotees.
The review meeting started at 11.30am at the conference hall of Gopabandhu Ayurveda College here and ended in 35 minutes.
Participating in the meet, senior officials of several government departments gave brief presentations on their preparedness for the car festival. Srimandir servitors, who had earlier boycotted a Rath Yatra coordination meeting, were present at Saturday’s gathering. However, they preferred to maintain mum during the discussions. Officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) reiterated their commitment to complete the remaining works at Samjajpur railway over bridge by June 20 while participating in the meet.
Attending the meet, Director General of Police Kunwar Brajesh Singh said security would be tightened for the Rath Yatra. For the first time, three companies of Orissa Swift Action Force (OSAF), raised in line with Rapid Action Force (RAF), would be deployed in Puri during the annual sojourn of the deities, he added.
This apart, about 125 platoons (one platoon comprises 30 personnel) of police force would be deployed along with two companies of RAF, three companies of OSAF, NDRF with special focus on CCTV surveillance, Singh stated. Collector Aravind Agarwal, who coordinated the review meeting, asked officials of the civic body to desilt the drains along the Grand Road to prevent possible water logging during the mega event.
Likewise, public health engineering organisation (PHEO) executive engineer Sarat Mishra said they would deploy 28 water tankers across the city during the festival to cater to the needs of the devotees. “We have sunk 250 temporary tube wells and repaired at least 700 borewells to meet the drinking water needs. Around two dozen generator sets have been arranged for uninterrupted drinking water supply,” he added.
Municipal executive officer Sanjay Mishra informed the gathering that the civic body has set up 71 makeshift toilets and two bio-toilets for the devotees. Moreover, the municipal body will deploy eight mobile toilets near the Grand Road.
“At least 25 fire engines and 400 fire brigade personnel will be deployed across the city to prevent and counter mishaps. We will place at least four fire extinguishers on each chariot. Lifeguards will be asked to keep strict vigil on the beach and at major ponds in the city,” said a fire services personnel.
Regarding healthcare measures, chief district medical officer Harihar Patnaik told the meeting that the district administration would set up 72 first aid centres and engage 186 doctors, including a few specialists, to meet any eventuality. “We will draft 61 ambulances at some strategic places. The district headquarters hospital will have 77 more beds during the festival,” he added.
Though Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Moharathy, Urban Development Minister Niranjan Pujari, Law and Health Minister Pratap Jena and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda attended the meet, they did not participate in the discussions. Police, meanwhile, detained at least 40 activists of Congress and BJP who tried to protest the Chief Minister’s visit to the city.
Post News Network/Agencies
