In a proactive effort to ensure a smooth, safe, and hassle-free Rath Yatra for lakhs of devotees, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, conducted a comprehensive late-night inspection of waterlogging-prone areas across Puri town.
The Minister was accompanied by the Commissioner of Puri Municipal Corporation (PMC) and senior officers of the Housing & Urban Development Department during the ground-level inspection.
Dr. Mahapatra visited several vulnerable locations to personally assess the drainage infrastructure and identify potential waterlogging hotspots, with special attention to critical public areas, including the Red Cross Hospital vicinity and adjoining localities.
Reviewing the preparedness on the ground, the Minister directed officials to intensify dewatering operations and remove all existing water accumulation on a war footing by deploying high-capacity pumping systems. He also instructed the immediate installation of bypass pipelines from collection points to nearby drainage channels to facilitate the rapid discharge of stagnant water and ensure dry, motorable roads during the festival.
Emphasising the need for a long-term solution, Dr. Mahapatra directed the PMC Commissioner and senior engineers to prepare a comprehensive drainage improvement plan immediately after the conclusion of Rath Yatra to permanently address chronic waterlogging in vulnerable areas of the city.
Speaking during the inspection, the Minister said:
“Our foremost priority is to ensure that devotees arriving from across the country and around the world face no inconvenience due to rain or waterlogging. The administration is working round the clock to provide a clean, safe, and dry environment during Rath Yatra. While immediate measures are being taken to tackle the present situation, we are equally committed to implementing a permanent drainage solution after the festival.”
The Housing & Urban Development Department, in close coordination with the Puri Municipal Corporation, has deployed emergency response teams, mobile pumping units, and dedicated field officers on a 24×7 basis to monitor vulnerable locations and respond swiftly to any heavy rainfall or drainage-related emergencies during the world-renowned festival.
