For the safety and security of tourists who will visit Puri during the Rath Yatra this year, the Puri Police on Monday launched a Tourist Helpline number.
As a large number of tourists are expected to visit the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the Grand event after they were barred for last two years due to the pandemic, the city police have started its exercise to ensure their safety and security.
As a part of this, under the chairmanship of Puri Superintendent of Police, Kanwar Vishal Singh, a joint coordination meeting of hotel owners and associations was held today where the helpline number (06370967100) was launched.
After the meeting, the SP briefed that the hotel owners have been directed to display the tourist helpline number at their respective reception counters.
“The 24X7 helpline number will also be displayed at buses and auto rickshaws including a few important places. Tourists can dial the number at any moment for any kind of assistance. City DSP, J N Padhi has been appointed as the nodal officer to deal with the grievances received through the helpline number,” said Singh adding that the number will remain functional even after the Rath Yatra.
“The hoteliers have also been directed to get their CCTV cameras repaired and make them functional with seven days’ recording capacity. This apart, they have been asked to share their occupancy status with the concerned police station. Similarly, the IICs and police stations have also been directed to create a WhatsApp group involving the hoteliers and associations so that their problems can be dealt with expeditiously,” added Singh.
Terming the meeting a successful one, Kedarnath Khuntia, secretary, hotel owners’ association, Puri said they will cooperate with the police as tourists’ satisfaction and safety have also been their prime concern.
“The SP has shared his personal number with us and asked us to contact him at any moment, especially when we find the helpline number unresponsive,” said Khuntia.