Puri: With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on the pilgrim town for the annual Ratha Jatra, the Odisha government's Housing & Urban Development Department has stepped up preparations to ensure smooth civic management, sanitation and public safety during the grand festival.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, on Friday reviewed the preparedness of the Urban Development Department and the Puri Municipal Corporation (PMC) at a high-level meeting held at the Circuit House in Puri.

Emphasising the department's critical role in managing civic services during one of the country's largest religious gatherings, Padhee said coordinated efforts among all stakeholders would be key to ensuring a safe, healthy and hassle-free experience for devotees.

She directed officials to give top priority to sanitation, public health, public toilets, parking management, street lighting and other essential civic amenities. She also stressed the need for round-the-clock monitoring and quick response to any emergency during the festival.

During the review, officials informed that all major drains across the city have been cleaned and desilted, while side drains along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) have been thoroughly cleaned with the support of Jagrani Welfare Organisation. Road repair and pothole restoration works have also been completed ahead of the festival.

To tackle possible heavy rainfall and waterlogging, authorities have identified 30 vulnerable locations and deployed high-capacity pump sets for immediate dewatering. Officials also said regular enforcement drives are being conducted to control stray cattle and maintain cleanliness across the city.

Puri Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sneha Arugula presented a detailed overview of the civic body's preparations, stating that special emphasis is being placed on sanitation and public awareness. She warned that strict action, including the imposition of fines, would be taken against those violating cleanliness norms.

As part of the arrangements, authorities have identified 24 designated parking locations for vehicles to streamline traffic management during the festival.

The meeting also decided that only dry food would be distributed during the Rath Yatra, while the serving of cooked food on the Grand Road has been prohibited to maintain hygiene and facilitate effective waste management. Information boards and signages related to food distribution, drinking water, medical services and other public facilities will be installed across the city to assist devotees.

Padhee appreciated the efforts of the Puri Municipal Corporation Commissioner and her team in ensuring comprehensive preparations for the annual festival.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department Vinay Kumar Das, Additional Secretary Subhananda Mohapatra, Puri-Konark Development Authority Secretary Dilip Kumar Maharana, PMC Joint Secretary Abhimanyu Behera, and other senior officials.