Bhubaneswar, 15 July (H.S.): The Odisha government has put in place comprehensive arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of Rath Yatra 2026, with Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday stating that every effort has been made to provide the best possible services to both Lord Jagannath and the lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri during the annual chariot festival.

Describing Rath Yatra as the most significant occasion for every Odia, Garg said the state government has undertaken meticulous planning over the past several months to ensure seamless crowd management, improved traffic regulation, enhanced public amenities and robust safety measures.

Rath Yatra is the most important occasion for every Odia. The government has taken all-out steps to ensure the best possible services for the Lord as well as for devotees coming from across the country, she said.

The Chief Secretary noted that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has been personally reviewing the preparations, while the Law Minister and ministers from various departments have been regularly monitoring on-ground arrangements to ensure all required facilities are in place.

Highlighting the improvements made this year, Garg said special emphasis has been placed on addressing traffic-related challenges experienced during previous editions of the festival.

Wherever traffic bottlenecks were identified earlier, corrective measures have been taken. Additional parking spaces have been created to facilitate smoother vehicular movement, she said.

To enhance public convenience, the administration has installed around 1,200 temporary toilets across Puri. Special arrangements, including water pumps, have also been made to prevent waterlogging in the event of heavy rainfall during the festival.

The government has strengthened healthcare preparedness by setting up hospitals, emergency medical facilities and dedicated heat relief rooms to assist devotees in case of extreme weather conditions.

Preparations for the festival have been underway for the past six to seven months, Garg said, adding that signboards and information displays have been installed across the pilgrim town to guide devotees regarding routes, facilities and safety measures.

She further informed that an Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor the festival, supported by extensive CCTV surveillance and coordinated response mechanisms.

A massive deployment of police personnel, executive magistrates and senior supervisory officers has also been planned to ensure effective crowd management, law and order, and emergency response throughout the festival.

Expressing confidence in the arrangements, Garg said the government is committed to ensuring that every devotee has a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience during the world-famous Rath Yatra.

Everyone will have a smooth darshan. Lord Jagannath has never disappointed His devotees, and we are making every effort to ensure that the pilgrimage remains safe, seamless and memorable for all, she added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda