States » EastPosted at: Jun 19 2025 1:19AM


Odisha Govt takes steps to prevent waterborne diseases ahead of Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar, June 18 (UNI) The Odisha government has intensified preventive measures to tackle waterborne diseases ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra (Car Festival) in Puri.
Acting on the directions of Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, a high-level review meeting was held in Puri on Wednesday to assess public health preparedness in light of recent alerts regarding waterborne diseases and the forthcoming festival.
The meeting, chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, was attended by the District Collector, Superintendent of Police (Puri), and senior officials from WATCO, Puri Municipality, and other line departments. The discussions centered around ensuring the availability of clean drinking water, maintaining food safety, and enhancing overall hygiene in the city.
According to official sources, WATCO will conduct random testing of water samples from both public and private sources, including overhead tanks, tube wells, and packaged water units. A mobile Lab-on-Wheels will be stationed in Puri to facilitate on-the-spot testing.
All water sources are currently undergoing disinfection, and the process will be further intensified in the coming days. Additionally, Jalasathis will collect water samples directly from households to expand surveillance and instil public confidence in water safety.
Food Safety Officers are conducting regular inspections of restaurants, hotels, and street food vendors to ensure hygiene standards are met. Given the anticipated surge in visitors during Rath Yatra, the Health & Family Welfare Department has been requested to deploy additional Food Safety Officers to strengthen the inspection efforts across the city.
To enhance public awareness, Puri Municipality has been instructed to ramp up campaigns promoting safe drinking water and hygienic food practices through loudspeaker announcements and the distribution of IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials.
Enforcement teams will monitor and act against unhygienic practices and littering, especially in areas surrounding the sea beach. Police personnel will assist in the smooth implementation of these initiatives.
To curb mosquito breeding, an agency engaged by Puri Municipality is deploying drones to spray repellents in densely populated and hard-to-reach areas.
To ensure effective implementation at the ground level, eight Executive Officers and seven Engineers have been deployed to Puri. Furthermore, the Director (Operations) of WATCO has been stationed in Puri to oversee and coordinate all water supply and sewerage operations.
Principal Secretary G. Mathivathanan emphasised that ensuring public health safety remains the government’s top priority. He assured that all departments will work in close coordination to maintain high standards of sanitation and hygiene during this critical period. UNI DP SSP
Tags: #Odisha Govt takes steps to prevent waterborne diseases ahead of Rath Yatra
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