By Rajkumar Mohanty
Puri (Odisha), June 24: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday appealed the temple servitors and all concerned to continue their dedicated support and make the annual Rath Yatra festival a success.

While attending the final Rath Yatra preparation meeting here, Patnaik advised the officials to ensure completion of all the repairing and road construction work in the city for the fete in time. He also expressed concern over depleting underground fresh water table of the city.

Taking stock of the arrangements made for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra who used to go on a nine day sojourn to the Gundicha temple riding three grand Rathas along the three km long Badadanda every year.

District Magistrate Rashmiranjan Pattnaik presented the report about the preparations for the fete. This includes supply of power, drinking water, healthcare services, provision of essentials commodities, transport of pilgrims, regulation of vehicular traffic, timely observance of temple rituals, maintaining of health and hygiene, sanitation, illumination of the city and police arrangements.

Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda asked the police to take care of pilgrims and assured the meeting about adequate security for the safe conduct of the festival.

Superintendent of Police Asit Kumar Panigrahi informed that one-way traffic would be introduced along the Puri Bhubaneswar route during the Rath Yatra on July 4, Bahuda Yatra on July 12 and Sunavesh on July 13.

A number of Ministers of various departments concerned attended the meeting that was conducted by Chief Administrator of the Sri Jagannath temple S.N. Sarangi.