Bhubaneswar, June 22: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the preparedness for the upcoming Rath Yatra 2025 and affirmed that the administration is fully prepared to ensure smooth and incident-free conduct of the grand festival.
The meeting was conducted at the Puri Municipality Town Hall.
In the meeting, CM Majhi emphasized on making the Rath Yatra completely incident-free and the need for coordinated efforts across departments.
He directed the officials to ensure efficient deployment of police personnel, effective traffic management, robust fire safety measures, and overall crowd control strategies so that devotees can participate in the Rath Yatra in a safe and disciplined manner.
Due to the diarrhoea outbreak in several districts, CM Majhi emphasized the need for the Health Department and all other concerned departments to maintain strict surveillance from the beginning of the Ratha Yatra until the conclusion of the Suna Besha.
He stated that it is absolutely essential to ensure that no unhygienic food or contaminated water is sold at any location. Additionally, he stressed the importance of making safe drinking water and hygienic food available at all sites.
He urged the cooperation of the servitors to ensure that all rituals of the holy trinity are conducted smoothly and on time during the Ratha Yatra.
Describing the world-famous Ratha Yatra as one of the most glorious symbols of Odisha’s cultural heritage, he noted that it carries the deep emotional and spiritual sentiments of millions.
He emphasized that the successful conduct of the festival is not merely a governmental responsibility but a sacred duty. Therefore, he advised all departmental officers, employees, and representatives of various private organizations to work in close coordination to ensure its smooth execution.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan provided details about the measures taken to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Ratha Yatra and Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling shared the preparations made by the Health Department. The Director General of Police briefed on the law and order arrangements.
On this occasion, CM Majhi along with other dignitaries unveiled the information booklet released by the Puri District Administration.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Prabhati Parida, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Rajya Sabha MP Subhashish Khuntia, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), senior officials from various departments and district administration, servitors, and ‘Mathadhees’ (heads of religious institutions).
After the review meeting, the Chief Minister visited the Gundicha Temple to inspect the progress of development and beautification works carried out there.
