Bhubaneswar: With millions of devotees eagerly waiting for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra during the world-famous Rath Jatra, the State Government has stepped up efforts to ensure a seamless spiritual journey.
Anticipating a massive turnout based on the recent crowds at Snana Jatra, Commerce and Transport Minister Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Jena chaired a high-level review meeting to finalize a comprehensive transport and safety blueprint for the grand festival. Shri Jena is a pious personality, who is an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannatha.
The meeting was attended by a dedicated and efficient team of officials, including Principal Secretary Shri N B S Rajput, Transport Commissioner Shri Amitabh Thakur, ADG and Overall In Charge of Rath Jatra, Top Cop Shri Saumyendra Kumar Priyadarshi, along with the Puri Collector, SP, Twin City DCP, and representatives from CRUT and NHAI.
Shri Thakur and Shri Priyadarshi are totally devoted to Lord Jagannatha and their committment is unparallel, pointed out a senior servitor of Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.
Driven by their deep devotion to Lord Jagannatha, this Team Transport is leaving no stone unturned to welcome the wave of devotees heading toward the holy town.
With the holy city preparing to welcome an ocean of faith, the administration expects a massive turnout of over 3 million (30 lakh) devotees during the peak periods of the grand festival, including Rath Jatra, Bahuda Jatra, and Suna Besha.
This unprecedented gathering requires a monumental logistical framework, and the state has deployed comprehensive transport facilities to ensure smooth and hassle-free mobility.
To ensure that the spiritual journey of the pilgrims remains smooth and stress-free, the Minister has issued strict directives focusing on safety and accessibility. Parking lots will be equipped with CCTV cameras and proper lighting, and free shuttle services will be operational from these spots to Badadanda.
To protect devotees from overcharging, a strict rate chart for buses will be implemented. Additionally, instructions have been given for the immediate repair and installation of signboards on the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway, strict enforcement to prevent over-speeding, and traffic regulation starting right from Bhubaneswar to avoid congestion and allow a peaceful entry into the sacred land of Puri.