Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday emphasized the importance of seamless coordination among government departments, officials, employees, and servitors to ensure the successful and incident-free conduct of the annual Ratha Jatra in Puri.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Puri Town Hall, the Chief Minister urged all stakeholders to work with dedication, discipline, and a spirit of service while carrying out their responsibilities during the world-renowned festival. He said collective efforts, guided by experience and devotion to Lord Jagannath, are essential for the smooth management of the grand event.
Describing Lord Jagannath as a symbol of faith for millions of devotees across the globe, Majhi noted that the Ratha Jatra is not only Odisha’s most revered religious festival but also a globally celebrated spiritual event that draws pilgrims from across India and abroad.
“As the festival attracts worldwide attention, ensuring a safe, well-organized, and peaceful Ratha Jatra is not merely an administrative responsibility but a sacred duty for everyone involved,” the Chief Minister said.
Expressing confidence in the administration, Majhi said officials and employees would discharge their duties with sincerity and commitment, viewing their work as a service to Lord Jagannath and His devotees.
The Chief Minister informed that elaborate security arrangements have been made, including extensive deployment of police personnel across Puri. Comprehensive plans have also been put in place for healthcare services, sanitation, drinking water supply, transportation, traffic regulation, and emergency response mechanisms.
He stressed the need for continuous monitoring of all arrangements and praised the servitors for conducting temple rituals with discipline and punctuality.
Majhi also directed officials to make effective use of mass media, public announcement systems, FM radio, social media platforms, departmental websites, and television channels to keep devotees informed about rituals, traffic diversions, crowd movement, and other important updates.
Highlighting the importance of accurate information, the Chief Minister instructed authorities to remain vigilant against rumours and misinformation, and to take strict action against individuals attempting to spread false information that could disrupt the festival.
The Chief Minister concluded by stating that the true success of the administration would be measured by ensuring that every devotee can participate in the Ratha Jatra safely and return home with a memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience of Lord Jagannath’s darshan.
