Bhubaneswar: The Transport Department of the Odisha government has made all arrangements to ensure hassle-free travel of devotees to Puri during this year's Rath Yatra.

 Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur today chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the arrangements for the mega event.  

Around 1,000 buses will be deployed to carry devotees from various places to the Holy City during the annual festival, including the Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha. The Transport Department will arrange temporary permits for these buses, said an official after the meeting.

“The authorities will arrange parking facilities at Malatipatpur and Talabania in Puri. Besides, help desks will be opened at Baramunda bus terminal in Bhubaneswar and Netaji bus terminal in Cuttack for the convenience of the devotees,” said the Transport Department.

As per a decision taken at the meeting, the authorities will not collect toll fees from buses at Pipli toll gate to ensure smooth movement of the buses.

“The Puri district administration has been asked to arrange rest sheds, drnking water and other facilities for the devotees at Malatipatpur and Talabania. The devotees will be provided shuttle services between Malatipatpur and Puri,” added the department.

The Transport Commissioner has asked the owners of the private buses to display fare charts in their vehicles. He has warned stringent action if there is any allegation of over charging by the private carriers.

The Transport Department will deploy special enforcement squads at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Ganjam, Balaswar, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, Chandikhol, Dhenkanal and Angul to check violation of Motor Vehicle (MV) rules. Besides, the officials have been asked to conduct patrolling on National Highway-16 and National Highway-316 to check rash driving during the festival.