Bhubaneswar, July 10: With the annual Rath Yatra drawing near, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the state's preparedness for the grand religious festival in Puri. Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan, the Chief Minister instructed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure that devotees experience a safe, orderly and hassle-free pilgrimage during one of the country's largest religious gatherings.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from key departments, including Home, Health, Transport, Works, Municipal Administration, Fire Services, Disaster Management and the district administration. Representatives of the temple administration and police also participated in the review to assess the readiness of arrangements for the festival.

The Chief Minister stressed that the Rath Yatra is not only a major religious celebration but also a matter of pride for Odisha. Every year, lakhs of devotees from different parts of India and abroad arrive in Puri to witness the procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. He said that every government agency must discharge its responsibilities efficiently so that the festival is conducted peacefully and without any inconvenience to pilgrims.

During the review, officials presented updates on crowd management, security deployment, traffic regulation, sanitation, drinking water supply, healthcare facilities and emergency response mechanisms. The Chief Minister directed the police to strengthen security arrangements at all important locations, including the Jagannath Temple, Grand Road (Bada Danda), Gundicha Temple, railway station, bus stands and parking areas.

Special emphasis was placed on effective crowd management, considering the massive turnout expected during the festival. Authorities have been instructed to deploy adequate police personnel, install surveillance systems at strategic locations and maintain continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras. Emergency evacuation plans and rapid response teams will also remain on standby to deal with any unforeseen situation.

The Health Department has been asked to ensure the availability of medical teams, ambulances and temporary health camps across the town. Civic authorities have been directed to maintain cleanliness, provide uninterrupted drinking water and improve sanitation facilities for devotees throughout the festival period.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the preparedness of departments responsible for road infrastructure, electricity and public transport. Officials were instructed to ensure smooth traffic movement and minimize congestion by implementing comprehensive traffic diversion plans and improving coordination among field personnel.

The state government has already issued detailed guidelines focusing on security, crowd control and inter-departmental coordination. Mock drills and security exercises have also been conducted in recent days to test emergency preparedness ahead of the festival.

Expressing confidence in the administration's preparations, Chief Minister Majhi urged officials to remain alert and committed until the conclusion of the festival. He said that the success of the Rath Yatra depends on teamwork, disciplined execution of responsibilities and timely response to every situation.

The annual Rath Yatra, one of the most revered festivals in the Hindu calendar, is expected to attract an enormous gathering of devotees this year. The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing a secure, well-managed and spiritually fulfilling experience for every pilgrim visiting the holy city of Puri.

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