Bhubaneswar, June 25: In view of visitors' and devotees' convenience,no tolls will be levied on cars, passenger buses and other commercial vehicles on Rath Yatra & Bahuda at the Pipili Toll gate in Odisha's Puri district this year.
Odisha Transport Department announced the facility on Thursday to facilitate public commuting to the 11 century shrine during the deities' annual festivity 2026.
State Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur while announced the convenience for the devotes said that no toll fee will be collected at the Pipili Toll Gate during the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri.
Thakur said in view of the come Rath Yatra & Bahuda, “We held discussions on how buses will be given special permits for the ease of people. Suvidha Kendras will be set up at bus terminals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. These arrangements will be made at Baramunda, Kalpana bus stops within Bhubaneswar, Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal in Cuttack, Talabania and Malatipatpur in Puri. These permits will be valid for seven days, covering July 15–17 and July 24–27,” said Thakur. Toll collection will remain suspended on the days of Gundicha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra during the world-famous Rath Yatra.Vehicles of all categories, including buses, cars, and other private or commercial vehicles, will be exempt from paying toll charges at the Pipili Toll Plaza.”
To facilitate smooth movement of devotees, around 400 electric vans will be arranged to carry passengers from parking zones to the Bada Danda, he added.
A review meeting chaired by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur was held at the Regional Transport Office in Bhubaneswar today in this connection.
The meeting discussed safe and organised movement of lakhs of devotees, with special focus on permits, passenger amenities, and traffic enforcement.
In view of commuters’ hassle-free visit to the shrine, under this plan, 400 EV vans will operate continuously to carry pilgrims from designated parking lots directly to the Bada Danda in Puri.
To mitigate heat-related health risks, dedicated medical desks equipped with essential medicines and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) packets will be established at major transit hubs, including the Baramunda Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar, Netaji Bus Terminal in Cuttack, and Talabania Bus Stand in Puri.
Additionally, the state administration has arranged for the distribution of prasad to devotees at various locations along the primary travel routes. To maintain uninterrupted traffic flow a fleet of approximately 30 recovery vans will remain stationed at critical intersections to immediately tow away broken-down passenger vehicles.
All operating buses will be required to carry first-aid kits, ORS packets, and clean drinking water. The framework also includes the operationalisation of 24-hour control rooms, passenger assistance centres, and dedicated rest-house facilities for transit drivers and support staff.
Heavy-duty cranes and medical ambulances will be deployed at strategic intervals to respond to vehicular contingencies. Free medical treatment to affected individuals will be provided under the state's PM-Rahat Yojana.
