Bhubaneswar: Indian Railways has successfully managed transportation of over 15 lakh passengers to and from Puri during the auspicious Rath Jatra period this year.
With extensive preparations and innovative measures, the Railways ensured a smooth and comfortable journey for the devotees attending the festival, East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials said.
The railways efficiently carried 15 lakh passengers, ensuring they reached their destinations safely and comfortably during the Rath Jatra period.
To accommodate 15,000 pilgrims/devotees at a time, temporary and permanent mela sheds were erected at Puri railway station, providing resting, toilet, and bathing facilities, the officials said.
Special trains were operated connecting 25 districts of Odisha to and from Puri, facilitating easy access for devotees. Special trains were operated using an AI-based dynamic scheduling system, allowing Indian Railways to provide additional trains to high-demand destinations promptly, they said.
Over 315 special trains were operated for the convenience of pilgrims, ensuring efficient transportation during the festival.
Similarly, special trains connected neighboring states, including Visakhapatnam and Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, Jagdalpur and Raipur in Chhattisgarh, and Howrah/Sealdah and Malda Town in West Bengal, to Puri for the Rath Yatra.
For crowd management, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel were deployed to manage crowds at Puri railway station. A round-the-clock control room was established to address passenger issues and ensure smooth train operations. Effective announcements were made at Puri and other stations over the East Coast Railway (ECoR).
The ECoR has installed PA systems at Puri Railway Station, with strategically located enquiry counters and large video walls displaying train arrival and departure information.
Additional ticket booking counters, ATVM counters, and mobile ticket counters were provided. The UTS on Mobile App and ECoR Yatra App were launched for information related to Rath Jatra facilities.
Extensive safety measures, including CCTV surveillance, deployment of RPF, GRP, and sniffer dogs, were implemented. Fire service personnel and fire extinguishers were strategically placed for emergencies.
Medical assistance booths, staffed with doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, along with ambulance services, were operational round the clock at Puri Railway Station.
Uninterrupted power supply and frequent water supply were ensured during the festival, with water tankers ready for emergencies. Special attention was given to cleanliness and hygiene at public utility areas during the Rath Jatra period.
In addition to the food plaza at Puri Railway Station, arrangements were made for selling tea, snacks, water bottles, and Janata meals. Additional food stalls were functioning at major en-route stations.
Besides, adequate toilet and bathroom facilities were provided at both the permanent and temporary Mela sheds.
Help desks were set up to guide passengers, providing information about train schedules, passenger conveniences, and Rath Jatra rituals and timings.
Adequate arrangements were made for ensuring uninterrupted power supply at Puri Railway Station for the continuous functioning of lights, fans, and other passenger amenities.
“I was astonished to witness the Car Festival. The crowd management, facilities provided at Puri Station, and the maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene were keenly taken care of by the Railway administration”, said a passenger from Gujarat, Sailendra Ratnakar Kule.
“We have been here for three days. The facilities provided in the station areas by Railways are praiseworthy. We rested in the Mela Shed and faced no difficulties with bathing and toilets. Free food was also arranged by the Railway administration. The provision of mobile charging, availability of fans, and other facilities ensured we faced no difficulties”, said a couple from Balangir.
“We have come from Rajasthan to witness Rath Yatra. We were concerned about shelter before reaching Puri, but the shelter provided by Railways eased our worries. The arrangement was beautifully done, including security facilities”, informed a lady passenger from Rajasthan, taking shelter at Mela Shed.