Puri, June 27, 2013: In order to provide hygienic food free of cost to devotees who would come from far flung places during Rath Yatra, social organisations plan to distribute two lakh meal packets. The packets including cooked and dry food and drinking water would be provided at bus stand, railway station and other places where pilgrims would congregate.

This was decided at a meeting of NGOs which was attended by district administration officials on Wednesday. The packets would be distributed only after the food inspectors in Puri certify that it is fit for consumption. Similarly, water pouches without ISI mark would not be allowed for distribution. District Magistrate NK Nayak asked the social organisations to provide the list of NGOs which would distribute the food packets, food menu and places of distribution within a week. The district administration also asked the NGOs to clean up the food packets from the distribution points and dispose them in a proper manner. This apart, NGOs were asked to deploy water sprinklers during the Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra to minimise the heat. The district administration and temple administration would shortlist NGOs for cleaning the Grand Road after pulling of chariots on both the occasions.

Around 49 first-aid centres would be operational during the fete and 44 ambulances pressed into service. Forty volunteers have been finalised by the administration to attend to patients who would fall ill during the Yatra.

ASI works on

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) experts have successfully fixed two new steel beams to strengthen the lintel of the Lion’s Gate where the images of Nabagrah would be placed. The ASI experts have also erected two Khondolite stone pillars on both sides of the gate. After de-plastering, deep cracks on the Lion’s Gate had come to light and the experts had decided to undertake immediate repair works. The two lime images of Jay-Vijay situated on both sides of the gate that were damaged during the demolition drive have been removed and new pillars will come up in their place, said CR Das, superintending archaeologist.

Source: The New Indian Express, DT. June 27, 2013.