Bhubaneswar,23/10(PPT): Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday chaired the first administrative-level preparatory meeting for the 2027 Puri Rath Yatra at Lok Seva Bhawan, stressing early planning, infrastructure development and comprehensive arrangements for the safety and convenience of millions of devotees expected to attend the world-famous festival.
The meeting reviewed department-wise preparations, long-term development plans for Puri and measures required to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual festival. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to submit proposals promptly and complete all assigned work within the stipulated timelines.
A key issue discussed was the availability of timber for the construction of the chariots. Against the requirement of 865 logs, 100 logs remain from the previous Rath Yatra, leaving 765 logs to be arranged. Additional palm wood will also be required for the charamala, or temporary ladders and scaffolding. The Divisional Forest Officer of Nayagarh has been asked to coordinate with other forest divisions to ensure timely procurement.
The meeting also emphasised the repair and restoration of the road connecting Biraharekrushnapur with Balighat before the festival. Widening key roads to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and improve traffic management was discussed. The Puri District Collector has been directed to take advance measures to remove encroachments and roadside vendors from major roads connected to the Grand Road, locally known as Badadanda, as clearance operations become more difficult closer to the festival.
Railway authorities informed the meeting that construction of the new Puri railway station building would be completed well before the 2027 Rath Yatra. Plans are also being considered for its inauguration by the Prime Minister.
Healthcare arrangements received particular attention in view of the large influx of pilgrims from across the country. The Health Department has been advised to establish a permanent medical facility at the Malatipatapur bus stand. Temporary medical facilities set up on both sides of Badadanda during the previous Rath Yatra were appreciated at the meeting. Volunteers, stretcher-bearers and voluntary organisations will be identified in advance and trained to assist medical teams in patient movement and emergency response.
To manage the expected surge in vehicles, officials discussed identifying additional parking spaces and developing dedicated parking zones for light vehicles. The Fire Services Department will examine the deployment of high-capacity pumps and other equipment to tackle waterlogging. Arrangements for lifeguards, rescue equipment, observation towers and emergency access routes along the beach were also reviewed.
Maintaining cleanliness and essential civic services in Puri will be a major priority. The meeting discussed mechanical cleaning, adequate permanent and temporary toilets, drinking water facilities, waste segregation and timely disposal of garbage. Officials were also asked to review the drainage network, clean drains and improve water discharge capacity along Badadanda, major roads, parking areas and other crowded locations.
The power and telecommunications infrastructure will also be strengthened ahead of the festival. Measures under consideration include upgrading the electrical network, establishing additional substations, improving cabling systems and stopping utility-related excavation well before the Rath Yatra. A proposal to install 22 to 25 permanent telecom towers in densely populated areas was discussed to improve network connectivity during the gathering.
The meeting also considered installing large LED screens at major roads, railway stations, bus terminals and parking areas, integrated with a public announcement system to provide timely information to pilgrims. The second phase of the Integrated Control and Command Centre is proposed to be completed by March 2027 so that it can become fully operational before the festival.
Emphasising coordinated emergency preparedness, the Chief Secretary called for clear response protocols and the deployment of rapid response teams to deal with overcrowding, traffic congestion, fires, adverse weather, missing persons and communication disruptions. Departments were asked to coordinate closely to ensure effective crowd management and uninterrupted essential services.
The early review of preparations is intended to give departments sufficient time to address infrastructure gaps and strengthen public safety measures before the 2027 Rath Yatra. The Chief Secretary stressed that timely execution, interdepartmental coordination and advance planning would be essential for the smooth and safe conduct of the festival.