For the first time in the annals of the annual Rath Yatra of Shree Jagannath, a high-level coordination committee met on Tuesday to evaluate the performances of the departments connected with the preparations for the recent Rath Yatra.
Members of the committee were critical over poor drainage and sewerage system which caused flood of drain water on the Grand Road, the venue of the festival. The devotees under knee-deep drain water had to pull the chariots.
The meeting was presided over by Minister for law, Culture and Tourism Maheswar Mohanty.
The committee observed that healthcare and hygiene was not up to the mark during the Rath Yatra and the ECoR did not run the assured number of special trains to Puri. The State Transport Department also came under scanner as the vehicle owners charged double the fare from pilgrims.
Above all, the conduct of the servitors over the chariots obstructing the view of the deities came under serious criticism at the meeting.
The committee resolved to clean the drains alongside the Grand Road twice a year and open the defunct special drainage line from the District Headquarters Hospital square to Musa river to flush out the storm water from the Grand Road. Temple Chief Administrator-cum-RDC Aravind Padhee, District Magistrate NK Nayak, concerned department officials and temple servitors’ representatives participated in the meeting.