Puri , June 19: {UDN}: Under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Mrs. Anu Garg, a comprehensive review meeting was conducted to assess and strengthen the preparations for the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra 2026, one of the largest religious gatherings in India that attracts millions of devotees, pilgrims, and tourists from across the country and abroad.
During the meeting, extensive discussions were held regarding various aspects of the festival’s planning and management to ensure the smooth, safe, and efficient conduct of the annual chariot festival. Given the massive influx of devotees expected during the Rath Yatra, special emphasis was placed on crowd management and public safety measures. Authorities reviewed strategies for regulating and controlling pedestrian movement, preventing overcrowding, and ensuring quick emergency response capabilities throughout the festival period.
A major focus of the review was on traffic management and transportation arrangements. Officials were directed to develop a robust traffic control plan to facilitate the seamless movement of vehicles while minimizing congestion in and around Puri. Measures were discussed to streamline entry and exit routes, establish diversion plans, and improve coordination among traffic police, transport authorities, and local administration.
The meeting also emphasized the upgradation and maintenance of roads in Puri city as well as on connecting routes leading to the holy town. Authorities were instructed to ensure that roads are repaired, widened where necessary, and kept in excellent condition to accommodate the anticipated surge in traffic and pilgrim movement. Attention was also given to improving road signage and wayfinding systems for visitors.
Recognizing the challenges posed by the large number of vehicles arriving during the festival, the administration reviewed plans for the development of adequate parking facilities. Dedicated parking zones are expected to be established at strategic locations to reduce congestion within the city and facilitate orderly movement of devotees.
The review further highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards of sanitation and cleanliness throughout the festival. Officials discussed arrangements for waste collection, disposal, public toilets, and continuous cleanliness drives to ensure a hygienic environment for pilgrims and residents alike. Special measures will be implemented to manage the substantial increase in waste generation during the event.
Ensuring the availability of safe drinking water for devotees was another key agenda item. Authorities were instructed to install sufficient drinking water points, maintain regular water quality monitoring, and ensure uninterrupted water supply across important congregation areas, roads, and public facilities.
In addition, significant attention was given to public transportation and pilgrim mobility arrangements. Plans were reviewed to strengthen bus, rail, and other transportation services to facilitate the movement of devotees traveling to and from Puri. Coordination among various departments will help provide convenient, accessible, and efficient transport services during the festival period.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for close coordination among all concerned departments, agencies, and stakeholders to ensure that every aspect of the Rath Yatra is managed effectively. She directed officials to adopt a proactive approach, address potential challenges in advance, and implement all necessary measures well before the commencement of the festival.
The review meeting reaffirmed the Odisha Government’s commitment to conducting Puri Rath Yatra 2026 in a safe, orderly, clean, and pilgrim-friendly manner, ensuring a spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees while maintaining high standards of public service, infrastructure management, and safety.
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