Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in the Odisha capital here witnessed the footfall of a record number of visitors on the first day of Raja festival on Sunday.

Altogether 27,192 visitors visited the NZP on June 14 (Sunday) while the State Botanical Garden (SBG), located near the zoo, recorded the footfall of 2,188 visitors, reveled the authorities.

A total of 24,856 people had visited the zoo and the SBG on the first day of the Raja festival last year, they added.

The zoo authorities made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the visitors.

As many as 104 security personnel were deployed at the NZP for the safety of the visitors. The authorities also opened altogether 31 drinking water kiosks to cater to the visitors.

“Apart from the regular staff, at least 30 volunteers were deployed at the zoo to manage the crowd,” said the authorities.

The authorities, meanwhile, revealed that the zoo will remain opened for the visitors on the second day of the Raja festival on June 15 (Monday).

“However, the NZP will remain closed on June 16 (Tuesday),” they added.