Here are the elaborate railway arrangements for Rath Yatra-2018

KalingaTV News Network

Bhubaneswar:  The Khurda Road division of the Indian Railways has been at the forefront in making transport arrangements for the huge in-flow of devotees to Puri by train during the Rath Yatra period.

The division has given special emphasis on additional train services, booking counters, transit facilities, cleanliness, drinking water arrangements, security arrangements and medical facilities etc at Puri and en-route stations.

The following arrangements are being made by East Coast Railway, Khurda Road Division to cater to the requirement of the Pilgrims.

184 Special Trains

A Total No. of 184 trains will run from 14.07.18 to 23.07.18.

28 trains will run on 14.07.18 (Gundicha Yatra).

96 trains will run from 15.07.18 to 20.07.18.

8 trains will run on 21.07.18 (Sandhya Darshan).

26 trains will run on 22.07.18 (Bahuda Yatra),

26 trains will run on 23.07.17 (Suna  Vesha).

This is in addition to regular trains.

60 Extra Ticket Counters:

In order to handle large number of pilgrims, 36 booking counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station. Similarly, in order to handle the additional rush of pilgrims at other stations, 24 extra counters will be opened at BBS, CTC, KUR, BAM, BALU, KIT, PRDP, BHC, JJKR etc would be functioning round-the-clock.

Enquiry Counters and Information Centers:

[a] 4 additional enquiry counters will be opened at Puri Railway Station in addition to 1 regular counter. These counters will be strategically located in the circulating area, Tourist complex and near 2nd entry of Puri Rly stn (Malatipatpur end).

[b] 4 May I help you booths will be set up near the buffer ends of Platforms in order to guide the passengers.

[c] 3 ATVMs (Automatic ticket vending machine) will function with facilitators to reduce the rush of Passengers in the counters.

Time Table and Publicity             

[a] Railway will fix train time tables, signage & other information boards in Railway stations. Time table will also be displayed at important station enquiry counter for public awareness. Besides, Electronic trilingual train & Platform indication boards will also be displayed on Platforms and Railway premises.

[b] Wide publicity of special trains to be run during the RathYatra will be made through PA System installed at PURI Railway Station and through Electronic media. In addition, leaflets detailing the arrangements for Car festival and travel guide lines (Do’s and Don’ts) will also be distributed to the public for awareness.

Tourist Complex

A large number of devotees are expected to arrive at PURI Railway station from various locations in and outside the State round-the-clock. It provides a resting place for nearly 5000 pilgrims. Facilities include toilet, bathing room, catering stall, medical counter etc.

Temporary Mela Shed

A temporary Mela shed of 2300 sqmts in the concourse area will also be constructed by Railways. It will provide a resting place for nearly 1000 people. Toilet and bathroom facilities available adjacent to this Mela shed.

Catering and Drinking water

In addition to a Food Plaza at Puri Railway station, arrangements are being made for selling of Tea, Snacks, Water bottles and Janata meals (at Rs 15/-) etc through permanent and temporarily constructed catering stalls at Puri, Delang, Khurda Road and Bhubaneswar etc. Passengers can get purified water at subsidized rates at different Railway stations through Water vending machines.

Sanitation

Supervisors and staff will be deputed round the clock for ensuring proper cleanliness and sanitation in the station premises including the Mela shed and the circulating area.

Medical Assistance

Two First aid Booths (one at station circulating area and one at Tourist complex) will be provided which will function round the clock with doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff and two numbers of numbers of Ambulance service will also be provided during the festival.

Illumination

Adequate arrangements are being made by Railways for ensuring uninterrupted power supply at Puri Railway station for ensuring non-stop functioning of lights, fans, electric equipments and other passenger amenity services.

LC Gate Management

Considering the heavy flow of road traffic through LC gates, additional manpower including GRP personnel, will be deployed at the LC Gates in order to ensure trouble free movement of train services and road vehicles.

Assistance to Temple Administration

Like in previous years, Railways will be providing trained workforce, breakdown materials such as Jacks etc., to attend any possible breakdown of Chariots during the RathYatra.

Manpower Mobilization

Ensuring the above arrangements involves large scale mobilization of manpower and other resources. Adequate number of Railway staff and supervisors of Operating, Commercial, Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, Engineering and Medical departments from station other than Puri would be assisting the railway staff available in Puri. The railway staff would be assisted by Scouts – Guides and  Civil Defence personnel. All officers of the Division would be keeping a close watch on the arrangements.

Safety and Security

Considering a large congregation of devotees at PURI Railway Station, elaborate safety arrangements are being made. Large contingents of RPF/RPSF, comprising Personnel, sniffer dogs, GRP, officers and jawans would be mobilized for round-the-clock deployment. Fire service personnel will be available along with Fire Tenders at the station and at important locations. Trains from and to Puri station will also be escorted by RPF to imbibe a sense of security among the passengers.

CCTV Cameras will be installed covering the entire length and breadth of PUI Railway station in order to keep a close eye on anti-social activities.

Two drone cameras will be utilized for aerial view of Puri Railway station and its proximity for effective security surveillance over the area.