Puri :With the world-famous Rath Yatra drawing near, the Government of Odisha has intensified preparations to ensure a safe, clean, and seamless experience for millions of devotees expected to visit Puri during the annual festival.
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Ms. Usha Padhee, conducted a comprehensive review of Rath Yatra preparedness at the Puri Circuit House on Saturday. The meeting focused on expediting critical civic infrastructure and public service arrangements across the city ahead of the grand event.
During the review, Ms. Padhee directed officials to ensure the timely completion of all road repair works within the municipal area, thorough cleaning and maintenance of drains, enhanced sanitation measures, adequate street lighting, and the creation of temporary parking facilities. She emphasized the importance of uninterrupted drinking water supply and instructed officials to establish 24-hour public toilet facilities to cater to the large influx of pilgrims.To maintain cleanliness and civic discipline during the festival, strict enforcement measures have been planned.
The ACS directed authorities to impose substantial penalties on individuals, commercial establishments, and builders found dumping garbage or construction materials on public roads and spaces.
Ms. Padhee advised Puri District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida to conduct weekly reviews of ongoing works and closely monitor progress to ensure timely completion and accountability.
Puri Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ms. Arugula Sneha informed the meeting that all open drains along the festival route would be covered with concrete slabs by June 30 as per the scheduled timeline.The Commissioner further stated that citywide sanitation operations are currently being undertaken twice daily.
As part of the city’s beautification and traffic management efforts, anti-encroachment drives have been intensified across Puri. Authorities are also undertaking measures to remove stray cattle from public roads and relocate them to designated gaushalas and temporary shelters.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for parking facilities and dedicated rest areas for vehicle drivers. In the interest of public health, safety, and sanitation, the administration decided that permission will only be granted for the distribution of cooked food during Rath Yatra 2026 with a proper waste management plan to be submitted by the Agencies.
Following the review meeting, Ms. Usha Padhee, accompanied by District Collector Parida, Municipal Commissioner Ms. Arugula Sneha and other senior officials, conducted field inspections of key project sites.
The meeting was attended by Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh; Special Secretary H&UD Binya Kumar Dash, and Srimandir Managing Committee members Krushna Chandra Samantray and Ram Narayan Gochikar, ADM Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, ADC (Protocol)Nilamadhav Bhoi, Puri Municipal Corporation Joint Commissioner Abhimanyu Behera, PKDA Secretary Dilip Kumar Moharana, Sub-Collector Raj Kishore Jena, Deputy Collector Ms. Priyadarshini Mallick, and Manager WATCO Bikram Rout.
