Puri Administration, SJTA Ready For Rath Yatra

Puri: Even as Supreme Court began hearing the review petitions on Rath Yatra, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Krishan Kumar on Monday said that all departments are ready to implement the verdict as and when it comes.

Following a meeting at the Neeladri Bhakta Niwas here, he said all departments have readied the micro plan for the annual festival.

“Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy and DGP Abhya will arrive in the Pilgrim Town shortly to review the situation. Appropriate steps will be taken as per the apex court’s order,” he added.

Collector Balwant Singh said that the administration will leave no stone unturned to organise Rath Yatra successfully.

He urged the people of Puri town to adhere to whatever decision is taken by the SC and cooperate with the administration.

“If a decision comes in our favour, arrangements will be made for the live telecast of Rath Yatra as was the case during Snana Purnima,” he said.

Responding to a query on vacating the Grand Road, he said that the process had slowed down following the June 18 verdict of the SC and the Municipal authorities have now asked all street vendors to shift to a different place by this evening.