Bhubaneswar: Khurda Road division has been at the forefront in making transport arrangements for the huge in-flow of devotees to Puri by train during Rath Yatra.
This year, the world famous festival will be held from July 14 to July 23.
The following arrangements are being made by East Coast Railway (ECoR), Khurda Road division, to cater to the requirement of the pilgrims.
184 special trains
A total of 184 trains will run from on those eight days.
28 trains will run on July 14 (Gundicha Yatra).
96 trains will run from July 15 to July 20.
8 trains will run on July 21 (Sandhya Darshan).
26 trains will run on July 22 (Bahuda Yatra),
26 trains will run on July 23 (Sunavesha).
These are in addition to regular trains.
60 extra ticket counters
To handle the large number of pilgrims, 36 booking counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station. Similarly, 24 extra counters will be opened at BBS, CTC, KUR, BAM, BALU, KIT, PRDP, BHC, JJKR. These would be function round-the-clock.
Enquiry counters and information centres
Four additional enquiry counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station in addition to the existing one. These counters will be strategically located in the circulating area, Tourist complex and near 2nd entry of Puri railway station (Malatipatpur end).
Four ‘May I Help You’ booths will be set up near the buffer ends of platforms in order to guide the passengers.
Three automatic ticket vending machine will function with facilitators to reduce the rush of passengers at the counters.
Time table and publicity
The ECoR will fix train time tables, signage and other information boards at railway stations. Time table will also be displayed at important station enquiry counter for public awareness. Besides, electronic trilingual train & platform indication boards will also be displayed on platforms and railway premises.
Wide publicity of special trains to be run during the Rath Yatra will be made through PA System installed at Puri Railway Station and through electronic media. In addition, leaflets detailing the arrangements for the festival and travel guidelines (Do’s and Don’ts) will also be distributed among people to create awareness.
Tourist complex
A large number of devotees are expected to arrive at Puri Railway station from various locations in and outside the state round-the-clock. The complex provides a resting place for nearly 5000 pilgrims. Facilities include toilet, bathing room, catering stall and a medical counter.
Temporary mela shed
A temporary mela shed of 2300 sqmts in the concourse area will also be constructed. It will provide a resting place to nearly 1000 people. Toilet and bathroom facilities will be made available adjacent to this shed.
Catering and drinking water
In addition to a Food Plaza at Puri railway station, arrangements are being made for selling of tea, snacks, water bottles and janata meals @ Rs 15 through permanent and temporarily constructed catering stalls at Puri, Delang, Khurda Road and Bhubaneswar. Passengers will be purified water at subsidized rates at different railway stations through water vending machines.
Sanitation
Supervisors and staff will be deputed round-the-clock for ensuring proper cleanliness and sanitation on the station premises, including the Mela shed and the circulating area.
Medical assistance
Two first-aid booths (one at station circulating area and one at tourist complex) will be provided which will function round-the-clock with doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff. Two ambulance service will also be provided during the festival.
Illumination
Adequate arrangements are being made by the Railways to ensure uninterrupted power supply at Puri railway station for ensuring non-stop functioning of lights, fans, electric equipment and other passenger amenity services.
LC gate management
Considering the heavy flow of road traffic through LC gates, additional manpower, including GRP personnel, will be deployed at LC gates to ensure troubl- free movement of train services and road vehicles.
Assistance to temple administration
Like previous years, the Railways will be providing trained workforce and breakdown materials such as jacks to attend any possible breakdown of chariots during Rath Yatra.
Safety and security
Considering the large congregation of devotees at Puri railway station, elaborate safety arrangements are being made. Large contingents of RPF/RPSF, comprising personnel, sniffer dogs, GRP, officers and jawans would be mobilized for round-the-clock deployment. Fire service personnel will be available along with fire tenders at the station and other important locations. Trains from and to Puri station will also be escorted by RPF to imbibe a sense of security among the passengers.
CCTV cameras will be installed, covering the entire length and breadth of Puri railway station, to keep a close eye on anti-social activities.
Two drone cameras will be utilized for aerial view of the station and its adjoining areas for effective security surveillance over the area.
