Tourism and Culture Minister Maheswar Mohanty has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to complete repair works of the Lions Gate and remove the scaffolding before the Rath Yatra.
The second preparatory meeting of the annual festival of the Trinity was held here on Thursday which was presided by Mohanty. This year, the festival is scheduled on July 10.
The organising committee expressed its satisfaction over the progress of construction of three chariots. The temple’s Chief Administrator Arvind Padhee said all necessary arrangements for the festival were being made and would be completed on schedule. Padhee said a proposal has been sent to the State Government to engage a special agency to maintain hygienic condition in and around the temple and along the Grand Road.
The meeting, among other things, discussed uninterrupted supply of power, drinking water facilities, availability of essential commodities, illumination of the city and the Grand Road besides security arrangements.
The Minister asked Health Department to fill up all vacant doctor and other healthcare staff posts at all health centres in Puri at the earliest. Health officials attending the meeting said three mobile drinking water testing laboratories would function in the city to ensure supply of safe drinking water to pilgrims.
SP Anup Sahoo said adequate security arrangements would be put in place. Additional DGP Arun Kumar Rai, Puri-Konark Development Authority Chairperson Santilata Pradhan, members of the temple servitor bodies and officials of temple administration participated.
Donors of Phasi trees, logs of which are used for construction of chariots, from Nayagarh and Khurda were felicitated on the occasion.