Those visiting the holy town during the Rath Yatra this year would be allowed to use the Sulabh Sauchalayas and public toilets operated by the Puri Municipality free of cost.
A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting convened by district Collector Arvind Agrawal on Monday.
The facility will be available for a day before the Ratha Yatra, on the day of the festival and during the Bahuda Jatra. It was also decided at the meeting that use of plastic water pouches, which are usually offered by NGOs and voluntary organisations to devotees during the festival, would be minimised.
Drinking water will be provided to pilgrims through tankers which would be stationed at strategic points. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) was directed to ensure that poor quality and unhygienic foods are not served to pilgrims during the nine-day festival.