KalingaTimes Correspondent
Puri (Orissa), June 5: State Law Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan on Thursday expressed concern over the inordinate delay in observance of the daily nitees and rituals in Sri Jagannath temple since last month and urged the temple servitors and officials to streamline the system.

Addressing the third high-level meeting to assess the progress in the preparation for the forthcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Harichandan advised the concerned authorities to make proper arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival.

The meeting expressed concern over erratic power supply that was affecting supply of pipe water, and directed the engineers to take steps to ensure uninterrupted supply of power.

The meeting also asked the works and the sewerage departments to complete repair of damaged roads at the earliest.

The meeting also decided to award the servitors for their service during the Rath Yatra.

It was also decided that the presence of persons atop the three chariots would be lessened this year.

It was also decided that the inner cordon passes would be restricted this year.

The meeting was satisfied over the ongoing construction of the three chariots.

Temple chief administrator S.N. Sarangi informed the about receipt of required timber logs necessary for the Rath construction.

Special measures would be taken to make the Rath brakes more effective and to strengthen the wheels, Sarangi informed.

About 49 devotees of the Lord who donated Phasi trees for construction of chariots when the forest department expressed inability to provide the required timber were felicitated by the administration in the meeting.