Rath Yatra deaths put his govt in a spot, Odisha CM says ‘Puri municipality unable to meet aspirations of devotees’

“I personally feel that the Puri Municipality is not able to stand up to the aspirations of lakhs of devotees coming to the town and the residents of Puri. There is a need for reforms in the civic administration system and to introduce a new system. Hence, our government has decided to develop Puri as a municipal corporation by merging around seven to eight gram panchayats near the town,” Majhi said.

The process to start the upgradation of Puri town was announced immediately by the government. Puri, one of the four dhams (seats) in Hinduism, is home to over six lakh people and attracts thousands of devotees from across the country and globally.

The chief minister also announced the setting up of Shri Jagannath Museum, Library and Culture Research Centre in Puri for propagation of Jagannath culture.

Majhi underlined that no effort was made in the past seven decades to popularise the Jagannath culture and historical significance associated with it and make Puri a better tourism centre. “Our government has a target to develop Puri as a major tourism and pilgrimage centre in the country,” Majhi said.

Facing criticism over poor crowd management during Gundicha Yatra on June 27, delay in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath and the stampede, the Majhi government’s announcement is seen as an attempt to showcase its commitment for the temple town, which has always been the focus of successive governments because of its religious significance.

The previous Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, in its fifth and last term, had announced a raft of measures for Puri, including the ambitious Parikrama Project around the 12th century Jagannath Temple.

For smooth and hassle-free conduct of Bahuda Yatra of the deities on Saturday, the state administration has been put on high alert. Senior officers, made in-charges to oversee Rath Yatra-related issues, have been camping in the temple town over the past few days.

“Whatever arrangements are required for Bahuda Yatra have been made accordingly. I urge the people coming to Puri to adhere to the advisories issued by the administration,” said Director General of Police Y B Khurania.

Police sources said massive security and traffic arrangements are also in place for the Suna Besha (golden attire of the deities) on Sunday, a ritual of the Rath Yatra that attracts the highest number of people.