Naveen Reviews Rath Yatra Preparations

PURI: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed the preparation and sought cooperation for the smooth conduct of annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.

This was the final meeting before the Rath Yatra scheduled to be held on July 6.

District Collector Arabind Agarwal apprised the Chief Minister about the progress of various festival-related projects. Chief Administrator of the temple Suresh Mahapatra informed about the progress of ongoing construction of three Rathas and assured timely performance of rituals of the deities.

Top officials of public health, drainage, sewerage, works, national highway and Puri civic body presented their festival preparedness of their respective departments. This apart, progress on the supply of potable water, uninterrupted power, essential commodities, illumination of the Badadanda, and health care were also presented before the Chief Minister.

The railway officials informed that 145 special trains would ply to Puri during the festival while 36 ticket booking counters would be opened to cater to the needs of the pilgrims.

Superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi informed that security measures have been taken to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the festival.

The Chief Minister sought the cooperation of all including the temple servitors for smooth conduct of Rath Yatra. He advised all the departments connected with the festival to act concertedly.

Ministers Arun Kumar Sahu, Sanjay Kumar Dasburma, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Pranab Prakash Das, Ashok Panda, Pradip Maharathy, Puspendra Singhdev, Atanu Sabyasachi, and local MLA Maheswar Mohanty and MP Pinaki Mishra were present.

Meanwhile, about 35 BJP activists including Krushna Chandra Jagdeb and Puri unit president Pravanjan Mahapatra were detained while trying to wave the black flag at the Chief Minister protesting the attack on Union Ministers in Bargarh recently.