Puri: Good news for devotees thronging pilgrim city to witness world famous car festival of Lord Jagannath scheduled on July 4, the state government decided to make the toll gate fee free at Pipili toll gate for three days.

"The toll gate at Pipili on National Highway-203 connecting Bhubaneswar and Puri will be free for the devotees on Ratha Jatra, Bahuda Jatra and Suna Besha," informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Pradipta Mohapatra after a special review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Niladri Bhakta Niwas here today.

The district administration will provide free ambulance service from July 3 to 15 during the festival of Lord Jagannath.

Besides, 200 buses will be plying to the holy town of Odisha and 194 special trains will run to Puri Railway Station during Ratha Jatra.

Sources said that the discussion was held on 16 various issues at the meeting. CM Patnaik urged the servitors of Lord Jagannath for smooth conduct of Ratha Jatra this year.

Patnaik also appealed to public in the pilgrim city for cooperation during the event.

He asked the officials to complete the FANI restoration projects by June 30.

Notably, Puri is gearing up for the upcoming Ratha Jatra commencing from July 4. Elaborate arrangements will be made for smooth conduct of rituals of the deities during the festival.