BHUBANESWAR: Alleging that the State Government will not be able to complete infrastructure projects before the Nabakalebara festival, the Congress on Friday warned that this may lead to a chaotic situation during the Rath Yatra scheduled on July 18.
The State Government has failed to complete infrastructure work for providing health facilities and drinking water and maintaining sanitation during the festival which is expected to draw a crowd of more than 30 lakh people, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Prasad Harichandan told mediapersons here.
Alleging that lack of healthcare facilities may lead to alarming situation during the festival, Harichandan claimed that 16 posts of doctor are vacant in Puri town. He warned that jaundice may spread in the town as only 65 drains have been repaired while 70 more are yet to be renovated. More than 1360 tubewells are defunct in the town, he said and added that 800 people are affected by jaundice.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, however, maintained that there is no threat of jaundice in Puri. He said steps are being taken to make arrangements well before the Rath Yatra for providing health facilities during the festival.
The State Government, which had set June 30 deadline for completion of infrastructure work for Nabakalebara, has extended it to July 10. But many projects, particularly related to healthcare, drinking water and supply of electricity, will not be over by July 10, Harichandan said.
Repair and upgradation of many roads inside the town are yet to be completed, Harichandan said and wondered how these will be completed by the deadline.