Odisha Govt Ramps Up Preparations for Puri Rath Yatra 2026
Puri, April 25: The Odisha Government has intensified preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra 2026, with Chief Secretary Anu Garg directing all departments to complete arrangements well ahead of the July festival.
During the 4th review meeting, officials confirmed that chariot construction began on Akshaya Tritiya (April 20), with 576 of 865 logs already procured.
Strict monitoring of ropes and construction quality has been ordered to ensure safety during the grand procession.
Key infrastructure projects—including the Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, Acharya Harihar Chowk redevelopment, and multi‑level parking facilities—are nearing completion.
Renovation of Shree Gundicha Temple is scheduled to finish before the festival.
To manage the massive influx of devotees, authorities plan to install 50 high‑mast lights, set up 1,600 temporary toilets, and deploy 23 pump stations for drainage.
Encroachment removal along Bada Danda will be completed by the end.
Eight temporary hospitals and a new overbridge on the Puri–Konark Road are also being readied.
Security and crowd management will be strengthened with expanded CCTV surveillance, emergency response systems, sanitation drives, and large‑scale police deployment.
Railways will open eight extra ticket counters, while free food distribution will be restricted to designated areas to reduce congestion.
The overall goal is to deliver a safe, organised, and spiritually uplifting Rath Yatra, blending tradition with efficient governance for lakhs of devotees.
