The Union Government on Thursday allowed construction of chariots for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, which is scheduled for June 23 this year.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowed construction of chariots at Rath Khala (chariot-making yard) with certain conditions, including maintaining social distancing, to prevent spread of coronavirus.
The MHA said that no religious gathering would be allowed in the Rath Khala as it is a workplace and not a place accessible to the general public.
It asked the State Government to ensure isolate the Ratha Khala from the adjoining Bada Danda (Grand Road) and the adjacent houses by erecting a cloth partition wall so that the public can be effectively prohibited.
It said the decisions regarding holding of Rath Yatra would be taken by the State Government keeping in view the situation at that point of time.
The Ministry gave the permissions and instructions in response to the State Government’s proposal in this regard on Wednesday.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration had earlier recommended to the State Government to allow for construction of the chariots, following which the latter moved the Centre.