Puri, June 30: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has inspected the situation in Puri, including the arrangements made for the convenience and benefit of pilgrims and devotees, ahead of the holy Car Festival -- Rath Yatra, which is taking place July 7.

Special arrangements have been made for approximately 15 lakh visitors for the Rath Yatra. Last year, arrangements were made for approximately 11 lakh visitors.

The Railway Minister has said that a total of 315 Special Trains are being operated for passengers' convenience. These special trains connect Puri with various destinations, including trains from neighbouring states. Railways have planned to provide special trains to Puri from 25 districts in the state, including Nayagarh, Sonepur, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Balangir and Nuapara.

Vaishnaw also highlighted the measures to be implemented by Railways during the Rath Yatra are – Crowd Management, Train Information System/Enquiry Counters, Video Walls Display, UTS on Mobile App, Additional Ticket Booking Counters and Mobile Ticket Counters, Pilgrim Waiting Area/Shed and Mela Shed to accommodate more than 15 Thousand pilgrims & devotees at a time, Security Arrangements, Catering & Hospitality, Medical Facilities & Ambulance, as well as the provision of power supply, water supply, cleanliness, security, drinking water, and sufficient toilets for the convenience of passengers, especially pilgrims.

Vaishnaw further said that the Special Trains will be run by using AI based dynamic Scheduling System. The number of special trains could rise if needed, added the Railway Minister.

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