States » EastPosted at: Jun 9 2025 7:48PM


SJTA to insure devotees for Rs. 5 Lakh during Puri Car Festival

Puri, June 9 (UNI) The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that devotees attending the Puri Car Festival will be insured for a sum of Rs. 5 lakh against any mishap within the municipal area between June 26 and July 9.
Devotees need not worry about COVID-19, as the current variant is mild and there are only 49 reported cases (34 active) in the state, Health and family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling
said and advised individuals with COVID-19 symptoms to refrain from attending the Rath Yatra.
He added that over 300 doctors will be deployed at various hospitals to provide healthcare services
to those in need.
The second high-level meeting for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, chaired by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, was held on Monday.
Arvind Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the SJTA, informed the meeting that the construction
of the three chariots at the construction yard is progressing steadily and as per schedule.
More than twenty lakh drinking water bottles will be provided to devotees during the festival. The meeting directed the concerned authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity and potable water through pipelines.
According to railway officials, 365 special trains will operate to Puri from various places and states during the festival. To facilitate this, 35 additional ticket booking counters and 10 ATMs will be installed.
Additionally, 250 extra passenger buses will be arranged to cater to the needs of devotees.
AI-enabled CCTV cameras (250 in number) will be installed at strategic locations in the city, while interceptor vehicles and eleven cranes will be deployed along various routes to Puri to help prevent road accidents.
An integrated master control room at Talabania will coordinate efforts among departments involved in the Rath Yatra.
To combat the heat, a large number of cool water sprinklers will be used during the pahandi (procession of the deities) and the pulling of the chariots. Air-conditioned rooms at PHCs and
other hospitals will be available to treat sunstroke victims.
Scores of lifeguards will be deployed along Puri beach to prevent drowning incidents.
A sufficient number of police officers will be deployed to ensure the safe and smooth conduct
of the festival.
Puri District Magistrate Sidharth Shankar Swain informed the meeting that arrangements have been made for an estimated fifteen lakh devotees expected during the Rath Yatra.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan directed officials to complete their assigned tasks before the third and final preparatory meeting.
The meeting was attended by the Health and Welfare Minister, the Commerce and Transport Minister, the Minister of Culture, the Additional Chief Secretary, secretaries of departments connected to the Rath Yatra, the Superintendent of Police, MLAs, senior temple servitors, and citizens.
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Tags: #SJTA to insure devotees for Rs. 5 Lakh during Puri Car Festival
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