Cuttack: Keeping the massive turnout of people expected in Puri during the Rath Yatra scheduled on July 6, the Odisha government has decided to ply 300 more buses to the pilgrim town.
A decision to this effect was taken at a preparatory meeting of the State Transport Authority (STA) here presided over by State Transport Commissioner Chandrasekhar Kumar in the presence of Puri SP, Cuttack DCP, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) and office-bearers of All Odisha Private Bus Owners' Association.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, Kumar said it was decided that in addition to the 200 buses presently plying to Puri, 300 more intra-state and inter-state buses would be diverted to the holy city during the grand festivity.
“These additional buses would ply a day before, on the day and the day after the Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra. Besides, this service would also be available on the Suna Besha of the deities,” he said, adding that the passengers would be charged normal bus fare for their visit to Puri during these days.
He also said a temporary rest house would be set up in Talabania area near Shri Gundicha temple while provisions for drinking water would be made in the bus stand for the convenience of the passengers in Puri.
Secretary of All Odisha Private Bus Owners' Association Debendra Sahu said the Association has decided to extend the intra-district inter-state bus services to Puri during the festival. “There will be 24-hour bus services to Puri during the festival. To provide emergency service to the passengers, including drinking water and ORS, the Association has decided to open a camp at Badambadi bus stand in Cuttack, another at Kalpana Square in Bhubaneswar and the third at Puri bus stand. Apart from this, a special camp would be opened at Puri Bus stand to provide meals to the passengers at Rs 10 per meal,” he said.
Sahu further said the Association had engaged around 500 buses during Nabakalebara Rath Yatra last year. “I think like last year’s Rath Yatra, around 4-5 lakh people would avail bus services in this year’s Rath Yatra,” he informed.
Talking about law and order, Sahu said there would be 24-hour police arrangements at all places. Apart from this, police camp would be set up in key areas along the National Highway to provide protection to the passengers.