Puri: Rath Yatra is just a week away. A multitude of human congregation is expected during the first annual festival after Nabakalebar of the Trinity. It is estimated that 30 lakh devotees will throng the pilgrim city to witness the grand festival.
Keeping this in mind, the State government is on its toes to conduct the mega event smoothly and successfully, especially after it faced a lot of criticism over the lapses in Nabakalebar rituals last month.
Greatly concerned over maintenance of law and order and traffic management during the festival, the State government has decided to deploy as many as 45 platoons of police forces in the holy town.
Besides, the government will station four commandants, nine deputy commandants, 15 DSP-rank officers to manage the crowd and traffic during Rath Yatra, said inspector-general of police Sanjeev Panda. More emphasis will be given to efficient traffic management, he added.
Meanwhile, Fire depatment has also geared up to avoid any untoward situation during the garnd festival. The department will deploy 80 fire brigade vehicles and 1000 fire fighters during Rath Yatra in Puri, sources said.