Bhubaneswar: The state govt has begun preparations for the 2027 Puri Rath Yatra, with plans to widen key roads, develop additional parking facilities, strengthen emergency healthcare and improve mobile connectivity to manage the massive influx of devotees.At the first preparatory meeting for the festival, chaired by chief secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan on Thursday, departments were directed to initiate infrastructure projects early and complete them within stipulated timelines. The second phase of Puri’s Integrated Control and Command Centre is targeted for completion by March 2027, ahead of the festival.Revenue department additional chief secretary and temple chief administrator Aravind Kumar Padhee informed the meeting that next year’s Rath Yatra will be celebrated on July 5, Bahuda Yatra on July 13, Suna Besha on July 14 and Niladri Bije on July 16. The ritual worship of chariot timber will take place on Feb 11.The works department was asked to undertake urgent repairs to the road connecting Biraharekrushnapur with Balighat and improve roads connecting Puri. Widening the road at Matiapada to facilitate two-way traffic and developing multilevel parking facilities at selected locations were also discussed. The Puri collector was directed to remove encroachments along major roads connected to the Bada Danda well before the festival.Railway officials said the new Puri railway station building would be completed well before the festival, with plans for its inauguration by Prime Minister. The authorities also proposed 22 to 25 permanent telecom towers and large LED screens linked to public announcement systems at key locations. Strengthening the power network and stopping utility-related excavation well before the festival were also emphasised.This apart, the health department has been asked to make a permanent medical facility operational at Malatipatpur bus stand. The district headquarters hospital will be shifted to a nearby new building with improved facilities. It was also decided that volunteers and stretcher-bearers will be identified and trained, while unobstructed emergency corridors will be maintained in hospitals.The fire services will arrange high-capacity pumps to tackle waterlogging and strengthen coastal safety through lifeguards, rescue equipment and observation towers. Padhee said 865 logs of timber would be required for the three chariots. With 100 logs available from this year’s festival, another 765 logs must be arranged, besides palm timber for charamala.
