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Bhubaneswar, July 15: Anticipating the arrival of lakhs of devotees for the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has rolled out comprehensive arrangements, including special train services, enhanced passenger amenities, robust security measures and improved crowd management, to ensure a safe, smooth and comfortable pilgrimage.
Special Trains to Connect Puri with Odisha and Neighbouring States
To handle the expected surge in passenger traffic, East Coast Railway will operate a large number of special trains connecting Puri with major destinations across Odisha as well as neighbouring states including West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
The special trains will originate from and terminate at several important stations such as Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagadalpur, Balasore, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Kendujhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Barbil, Palasa, Visakhapatnam, Gondia and Santragachhi.
Railway officials said passenger demand will be continuously monitored throughout the festival. Depending on the rush and operational feasibility, additional special trains will be introduced to provide seamless travel for devotees.
Holding Capacity for Nearly 30,000 Pilgrims
To efficiently manage the massive crowd at Puri Railway Station, dedicated pilgrim waiting areas and temporary Mela sheds have been established with a combined capacity to accommodate around 30,000 passengers at a time.
The facilities include covered seating areas, German hangar sheds equipped with air-cooling systems and shaded waiting zones to protect pilgrims from the summer heat.
Improved Passenger Amenities
East Coast Railway has significantly upgraded passenger facilities at Puri station. These include:
Three medical and first-aid centres, backed by ambulance services, will remain operational round the clock to attend to emergencies. In addition, various NGOs and Self Help Groups (SHGs) will distribute free food to nearly 3.5 lakh pilgrims during the festival.
Special arrangements such as battery-operated vehicles and dedicated wheelchairs have also been made to assist senior citizens and Divyangjan passengers.
To reduce congestion at ticket counters, the railway has provided 40 booking counters, 12 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), 32 Mobile Unreserved Ticketing System (MUTS) machines and additional ticket booking facilities at 21 stations.
Tight Security Cover Across the Festival
A multi-layered security arrangement has been put in place to ensure the safety of passengers. The deployment includes:
Surveillance has been strengthened with 250 CCTV cameras, four drones for aerial monitoring, 10 sniffer dogs and three fire tenders stationed at strategic locations.
Dedicated War Room for Continuous Monitoring
East Coast Railway has established a dedicated War Room to monitor train operations, passenger movement and security arrangements throughout the Rath Yatra period.
Senior railway officials will oversee operations round the clock using CCTV and drone surveillance while coordinating with operational, security and passenger service teams to ensure prompt action in case of any emergency.
Cleanliness and Real-Time Passenger Information
To maintain hygiene during the festival, a workforce of 430 sanitation personnel has been deployed, supported by sewage suction vehicles, garbage disposal vehicles, industrial vacuum cleaners and jet cleaning machines.
For better passenger communication, the station has been equipped with 15 LED video walls, 60 public announcement speakers and GPS-enabled clocks that will provide real-time train information and important announcements.
Infrastructure Upgrades at Puri Railway Station
Ahead of Rath Yatra, several infrastructure improvements have been completed at Puri Railway Station. These include enhanced passenger circulation through the ground floor of the newly developed terminal building, expansion of the Tourist Complex with two additional floors, better-organised holding areas and improved access management from the station approach road.
Railway Urges Devotees to Follow Safety Guidelines
East Coast Railway has appealed to all pilgrims to travel responsibly by avoiding travel on footboards, train buffers or rooftops. Passengers have also been advised not to accept food or beverages from strangers and to immediately report any unattended or suspicious baggage to railway staff or security personnel.
The Railway has further urged passengers to verify train schedules and reservation status through official railway platforms before commencing their journey to ensure a hassle-free pilgrimage during the Rath Yatra festivities.
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