The State Government has decided to invoke the provision of National Security Act (NSA) against those who would create hindrance in the ongoing projects carried out in the run up to the 2015 Nabakalebara of the deities of the Jagannath Temple at Puri.
The decision was taken at a high-level preparatory meeting held at the State Secretariat on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra relating to smooth organisation of the Nabakalebara of the deities in 2015.
The issues of construction and widening of roads connecting to Puri town including the National Highway, doubling of railway lines, upgradation and renovation of the Puri Railway station , construction of railway over bridge, putting up parking place in suitable places along the National Highway and other roads in Puri town, erection of electrical structures, installation of substations to ensure un-interrupted power supply during the ten days of the Nabakalebara yatra, provision of adequate healthcare facilities, renovation and repair of Puri temple, plans to maintain law and order situation and safety and security of the tourists and pilgrims were discussed in details at the meeting, sources informed.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departmental authorities to complete all the road construction and expansion works by June, 2014 and also asked the railway authorities to complete the doubling of left out railway lines, construction of new station at Puri and upgradation of the old station and railway over bridge, a year before the Nabakalebara.
Similarly, he also told the Energy department authorities to ensure completion of the construction of new substations including the new 220/132 KV grid substation and draw new lines by June, 2014. He asked the Revenue officials to take steps to provide the required land for road, railway lines and substations as soon as possible.
However, the meeting decided that strong action would be taken against those who would create problem in undertaking the works and projects relating to the Nabakalebara. If needed, the Puri district administration has been advised to invoke the provisions of NSA against the miscreants to discourage obstructionist activities and facilitate the early completion of all the projects.
Since it is targeted that around 20 lakh pilgrims would visit during the Nabakalebara festival in 2015, the Chief Secretary asked the Puri district administration to take up a pilot project to put up temporary shelters to accommodate around 20,000 pilgrims for ten days during the 2014 Rath Yatra. The success of the pilot project would be replicated during the Nabakalebara yatra in a big way, he said.
Chief Secretary also told the Culture and Endowment departments and the Temple administration to constitute an inter-departmental expert committee taking the members of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to monitor the ongoing conservation and renovation work of the Jagannath temple.
Similarly, the Health department authorities have been asked to complete the healthcare facilities in Puri town and nearby areas, including at Konark and Gop etc before the 2014 Rath Yatra.
According to sources, it was decided to create healthcare facilities particularly for instant treatment of 500 persons. In Puri hospital, another 100 beds would be added in order to strengthen the treatment facilities.
According to sources, it has been decided to demolish all the identified vulnerable and unsafe buildings along the Grand Road and in other places in the Puri town. Besides, CCTVs and watch towers would be installed along the Grand Road to record the proceedings and movement of the people as part of safety measures. The Chief Secretary also asked the Puri SP and District Collector to prepare crowd management plan during the Rath Yatra and 2015 Nabakalebara as well as told the temple administration to complete provision of identity cards to the Sevayats to avoid any untoward situation during the performance of their rites.