Railways To Run 40 Special Trains During Rath Yatra In Odisha’s Puri

Puri: The Indian Railways will run at least 40 special trains and open 35 additional ticket booking counters during Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri town.

This was revealed during the coordination meeting on preparation for Rath Yatra presided by Law Minister Pratap Jena in the town on Wednesday. Total 137 additional trains will ply till Sunabesha of the deities of Jagannath Temple.

During discussion on healthcare measures, it was decided to set up 50 more beds at district headquarters hospital (DHH), open 14 fast aid centres on Badadanda (Grand Road) and deploy 29 ambulances to ensure prompt health related issues of the devotees.

On sanitation and hygiene steps, it was revealed that all major and minor drains in the town have been cleaned. For drainage of rainwater, 14 high-power pumps will be installed at strategic points. Besides, PVC toilets and 7 mobile toilets would be set up across the town.

On civic measures, the meeting decided to make provision of 872 street lights and 349 LED lights. The electricity supply department would ensure uninterrupted power supply from 3 grid stations.

In order to provide safe drinking water, RWSS would make provision for supply from 427 tubewells and 35 pipe water projects.

On security measures, it was decided to put the Pilgrim Town under 5-layer security from Devasnana Purnima to Niladribije. The police department was directed to keep a close eye on law and order and traffic management. A special website and app would also be released for convenience of the devotees.

Among others, minister Dibya Shankar Mishra, MLAs of Puri, Brahmagiri and Satyabadi, RDC, vice-chairman of State Planning Board, Puri collector Samarth Verma and SP K Vishal Singh, members of temple management committee, senior servitors and journalists attended the meeting.