TNI Bureau: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today reviewed the preparations for Ratha Jatra at a high-level meeting in Lok Seva Bhavan and stressed the importance of safety, coordination and smooth management of the festival.
He directed officials to ensure proper crowd control, traffic management, security, emergency services and timely conduct of rituals. He also asked authorities to make special arrangements for elderly and differently-abled devotees at the Gundicha Temple.
Officials informed the meeting that around 12,000 police and CAPF personnel, including 19 senior IPS officers, have been deployed for security. The arrangements include 1,700 bio-toilets, eight temporary hospitals, 65 LED screens, 473 CCTV cameras and 16 permanent telecom towers.
More than 300 trains will operate to Puri during the festival to facilitate the movement of devotees. An Integrated Command and Control Centre has also been set up for monitoring and coordination.
Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and ADGP Soumendra Priyadarshi presented details of the preparations at the meeting.
Among those present were Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, DGP Y.B. Khurania, DG Fire Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Saswat Mishra, and other senior officials.
