Argus News - Odisha Sets Strict Deadlines for Puri Rath Yatra Preparations

Puri, Apr 2: With just three months left for the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha’s administration has set strict deadlines to complete all preparations well ahead of time.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg, chairing a high-level meeting, directed all line departments to finish their assigned tasks two months before the festival to avoid last-minute rush.

This year’s Rath Yatra will focus heavily on de-congestion measures along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) and adjoining routes. Road widening works have been prioritized to ensure smooth passage of the chariots and better crowd management. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that all connecting roads to the Bada Danda will be expanded.
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Security arrangements are also being scaled up. By the end of April, temporary CCTV installations along the Grand Road must be completed, while by mid-May, cameras from Uttara to Puri will be operational. An Integrated Command and Control Centre will be set up to monitor the entire event.

In terms of facilities, the administration has doubled the number of temporary toilets to 1,000 units, compared to 594 last year. Additionally, bedded hospitals, manpower support, and fast-aid centres will be strengthened across Puri city.

The police have launched a new initiative — a WhatsApp chatbot service named “Puri Police Sahayak” — to assist tourists. Visitors can lodge complaints, check status updates, locate parking areas and police stations, provide feedback, and report lost mobile phones by messaging +91 8763199400.

On the preparation front, by mid-April, essential materials like Rath Kana, Jhuna, and Basunga Pat must be ready. Chandan wood will arrive from Tamil Nadu, while the State Forest Corporation will supply other required timber. The PCCF has been instructed to plant trees under forest projects to meet future demands for Fashee, Dhaura, and Asan wood.

Learning from last year’s shortcomings (stampede), the government is emphasizing early completion of works ranging from parking facilities to surveillance systems. The administration is determined to ensure a safer, smoother, and more organized Rath Yatra experience for millions of devotees and tourists expected to attend.

With deadlines set and targets fixed, Odisha gears up to host one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, blending tradition with modern technology and infrastructure.