Puri: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday sought the cooperation of Srimandir servitors and residents of the Holy City for the smooth organisation of the annual Rath Yatra.
While addressing officials, engineers and servitors at a special review meeting for Rath Yatra at Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya here, Patnaik stressed on the timely performance of Srimandir rituals and safety of devotees during the mega festival.
On the occasion, Puri Collector Aravind Agrawal appraised him about the preparedness of the administration for hoisting annual care festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings scheduled to begin July 14 this year.
The authorities have made arrangements to supply 70 megawatt power to the Holy City during the car festival, in addition to an emergency backup by engaging heavy duty power gen sets.
The chief district medical officer (CDMO) said 136 doctors, including specialist, besides scores of supporting staff of about 541 would be deployed and a number of first aid centres and ambulances would be in pressed into service.
An official of the fire officer said eight fire tender special vehicles would be kept ready to meet any eventuality while scores of firemen would be deployed in the beach and other major water bodies to prevent drowning.
The representative from the state Tourism Department said that hundreds of life guards would be placed along the beach to ensure rescue operation and save the pilgrims from drowning besides seven tourist information counters would be made operational.
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarthak Sarangi said 140 platoons of police would be deployed for the festival.
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) official informed the meeting that 186 special trains would ply to Puri during the festival besides regular trains. RPF personnel would be deployed and luggage scanner would be made besides opening of more ticket booking counters.
After the meeting, the servitors handed over a set of their grievance to the CM who assured them to discuss the matter later. The meeting was conducted amid tight security.
CM for smooth conduct of car fest
