Bhubaneswar:23/10/26: A preparatory meeting for the 2027 Puri Ratha Jatra was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg.
This administrative meeting focused on long-term infrastructure development, crowd control, and ensuring smooth facilities and security for devotees.
Key officials present at the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and Shree Mandira Chief Administrator Dr. Arbinda Kumar Padhee, Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra, secretaries of various departments, the Puri District Collector, the Puri Superintendent of Police, and other senior officials from police and civil administration.
Shree Mandira Chief Administrator Dr. Padhee outlined the important festival dates for 2027, noting that the Rath Khata Anukula Puja will take place on Basanta Panchami on February 11, 2027, followed by Shree Gundicha Jatra on July 5, 2027, Bahuda Jatra on July 13, 2027, Suna Besha on July 14, 2027, and Niladri Bije on July 16, 2027.
Regarding ritual requirements, a total of 865 pieces of timber are needed for the chariots, with 100 pieces already available from the previous Rathayatra and the remaining 765 pieces, along with additional palmyra logs for chariots to be managed by the Divisional Forest Officer of Nayagarh and other divisions.
Several infrastructure and administrative directives were issued during the meeting. The road connecting Biraharekrushnapur to Balighat will undergo urgent repairs and restoration before the festival, and the Puri District Collector was instructed to clear encroachments along the Grand Road and connecting streets well in advance to prevent congestion.
Key access roads, including the existing road at Matiapada, will be widened and upgraded to handle two-way traffic, alongside long-term proposals for multi-level parking facilities. Additionally, railway authorities reported that the new Puri railway station building will be completed well ahead of the 2027 Ratha Jatra, with plans for inauguration by the Prime Minister.
The Health Department was advised to establish a permanent clinic at the Malatipatpur bus stand to manage crowds, upgrade health infrastructure including shifting the District Headquarters Hospital to a new nearby building, and pre-identify and train volunteers, stretcher bearers, and voluntary organizations.
Meanwhile, the Fire Services department will arrange high-capacity pumps for waterlogging and develop lifeguard services, rescue equipment, observation towers, and emergency entry points at the beach. Urban sanitation efforts will focus on mechanical cleaning, sufficient permanent and temporary toilets, drinking water systems, garbage segregation, rapid waste removal, and drainage capacity enhancements.
Power infrastructure will be strengthened with upgraded networks, new substations, and cable improvements, while utility excavation work will be halted well before the festival. Plans also include installing 22 to 25 permanent telecom towers in crowded areas, large LED screens at major transit hubs and parking lots integrated with public address systems, and making the second phase of the Integrated Command and Control Centre fully operational by March 2027.