Bhubaneswar: In the countdown to Rath Yatra, the govt on Wednesday finalised a comprehensive mobility and safety plan for devotees travelling by bus, warning private operators against overcharging pilgrims.Reviewing the preparations, transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur said his department is fully prepared to ensure smooth transportation, safety, and convenience.Temporary permits will be issued for stage carriage buses to meet the surge in demand during Rath Yatra on July 16, Bahuda Yatra on July 24, and Suna Besha on July 25. To prioritise passenger welfare, 1,200 first‑aid kits have been distributed through RTOs and every bus will be equipped with one.Information centres and 24‑hour control rooms will be functional in Puri, supported by helplines and helpdesks at Talabania. Shuttle services will connect Malatipatpur bus stand and Talabania to Puri to ease congestion. Fare charts will be mandatory in all buses, with RTOs also monitoring auto-rickshaw fares.“Strict action will be taken against operators charging beyond fixed fares,” Thakur said, adding that violators would face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act.A special enforcement squad will be deployed in Ganjam, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, Chandikhole, Dhenkanal, Angul, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar to check road safety violations.“Speed interceptors and intelligent enforcement systems will monitor NH‑316 and NH‑16, issuing e‑challans to offenders. Buses will display road safety messages and operator contact numbers to enable passengers to lodge complaints,” the transport commissioner said.Traffic management squads will be stationed at key Bhubaneswar junctions and along connecting routes to Puri, supported by NHAI highway patrols. Emergency preparedness includes cranes and ambulances along the Bhubaneswar‑Puri corridor, with hospitals directed to provide immediate treatment under PM‑Rahat Yojana. Vehicle breakdown services will be backed by manufacturers and dealers through assistance camps.
