Puri: With Cyclone FANI inching nearing the state’s coast, Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) deployed five buses to aid the evacuation efforts Thursday.
These vehicles have been deployed to evacuate West Bengal pilgrims and tourists from Puri – the site of likely landfall of the storm.
These tourists were seen in long queues at Mahodadhi hotel where a temporary ticket counter has been put up. After buying tickets, they boarded on the specially arranged OSRTC buses for Kolkata.
“By 10 am, five OSRTC buses have so far left for Kolkata. More buses are there to take the rest of the tourists,” informed assistant director of tourism department Bijay Kumar Jena while adding, “Train facilities are being provided to tourists from other states as well.”
It may be mentioned here that the evacuation is in line with the announcement of the State Government that mandates tourists and pilgrims to leave Puri before May 2 evening.
PNN