Bhubaneswar, July 5: Amid the heavy turnout of devotees for Bahuda Yatra — the return leg of the annual Rath Yatra in Puri — Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari underscored the pressing need to revamp the city's infrastructure to better manage the growing pilgrim footfall.
Speaking on the sidelines of the grand event, Pujari said that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has ensured all departments are working in tandem for the smooth conduct of the festival. “Every government department is actively engaged on the ground. But managing such massive crowds cannot be the government’s burden alone — it requires collective responsibility,” he said.
Revealing a significant step forward, Pujari announced that the Chief Minister has given a green signal to upgrade Puri Municipality into a Municipal Corporation. “This will pave the way for wider roads, improved traffic flow, and robust civic infrastructure, especially crucial during large-scale events like Rath Yatra,” he noted.
“The time has come to give Puri a complete facelift,” the Minister remarked, adding that with the city’s spatial limitations and the steadily rising number of visitors, infrastructure development has become imperative.
Pointing to the mismatch between crowd size and existing road capacity, Pujari emphasized the need for a long-term vision to make the pilgrimage experience more comfortable and secure. “Devotees from across the globe come to witness Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. It is our duty to ensure their journey is safe and seamless.”
Looking ahead, he said the state government plans to create a comprehensive roadmap to meet future demands. “With the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, this year’s event is unfolding smoothly. But in the coming years, we aim to introduce better road systems, efficient traffic management, and enhanced facilities to uplift the overall experience for devotees,” he added.
