Odisha has begun a coordinated infrastructure and public-safety preparation programme for the 2027 Puri Rath Yatra, with departments directed to complete road, parking, healthcare, telecom, railway, power and emergency-response works before the festival draws large crowds to the coastal city.
The decisions were taken at the first preparatory meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan on Thursday. Officials were instructed to begin projects early and complete them within stipulated timelines. The second phase of Puri’s Integrated Control and Command Centre is targeted for completion by March 2027, ahead of the festival.
Revenue department Additional Chief Secretary and temple chief administrator Aravind Kumar Padhee told the meeting that the Rath Yatra will be held on July 5, 2027. The Bahuda Yatra is scheduled for July 13, followed by Suna Besha on July 14 and Niladri Bije on July 16. Ritual worship of the chariot timber will take place on February 11.
The Works Department has been asked to undertake urgent repairs on the road connecting Biraharekrushnapur with Balighat and improve roads linking Puri with surrounding areas. Authorities also discussed widening the road at Matiapada to support two-way traffic and developing multilevel parking facilities at selected locations. The Puri collector was directed to remove encroachments along major roads connected to the Bada Danda before the festival.
Railway officials said the new Puri railway station building would be completed well before the Rath Yatra, with plans for its inauguration by the Prime Minister. The authorities also proposed installing 22 to 25 permanent telecom towers and large LED screens connected to public announcement systems at key locations. These facilities are intended to improve communication and the dissemination of public information during the festival.
The meeting also focused on preventing utility-related disruption. Officials emphasised strengthening the power network and completing excavation-related work well before the event. Fire services will arrange high-capacity pumps to respond to waterlogging, while coastal safety measures will include lifeguards, rescue equipment and observation towers.
Healthcare preparations include making a permanent medical facility operational at the Malatipatpur bus stand. The district headquarters hospital will be shifted to a nearby new building with improved facilities. Authorities also decided to identify and train volunteers and stretcher-bearers, while maintaining unobstructed emergency corridors in hospitals.
The preparations extend to the construction of the three chariots. Padhee said 865 logs of timber would be required, of which 100 logs are available from this year’s festival. The remaining 765 logs must be arranged, along with palm timber for the charamala. The early start to procurement and infrastructure work places the festival’s crowd-management requirements within a longer administrative schedule rather than limiting preparations to the weeks immediately before the procession.
