THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
PURI,
JULY 6, 2026
As preparations
gather pace for the world-famous Rath Yatra, Housing and Urban Development
Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Monday asserted that ensuring an
uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water to lakhs of devotees and residents
will remain the State Government's highest priority. During a comprehensive
review of drinking water arrangements in Puri, the Minister inspected the
ongoing construction of the 42 MLD Water Treatment Plant and directed officials
to strengthen all necessary measures to ensure seamless water supply throughout
the festival.
The Minister held a
high-level review meeting with senior officials to assess the preparedness of
the drinking water supply system and reviewed the special arrangements being
made for the annual festival, which draws millions of pilgrims from across the
country and abroad.
WATCO Managing
Director Debabrata Mohanty, senior departmental officers, engineers and project
officials briefed the Minister on the progress of various initiatives,
including contingency measures to maintain uninterrupted water supply during
the festival.
During the field
inspection, Dr. Mahapatra reviewed the progress of key components of the 42 MLD
Water Treatment Plant, including the clarifier, filtration unit, equipment
installation and allied infrastructure. Emphasising the project's importance in
addressing both the current and future drinking water needs of Puri, he
directed the executing agencies to expedite the work while maintaining the
highest quality standards.
"The population
of Puri increases manifold during the Rath Yatra. Ensuring uninterrupted supply
of safe drinking water to devotees and residents is our top priority. All
agencies must remain fully prepared to respond to any contingency," the
Minister said.
Dr. Mahapatra also
reviewed the arrangements for round-the-clock water supply around the Shree
Jagannath Temple, pilgrim accommodation centres, temporary camps and other key
locations across the city. He instructed officials to maintain continuous
surveillance of the water distribution network and ensure that standby pumps,
power backup systems and emergency response mechanisms remain fully operational
throughout the festival.
As part of the
contingency plan, WATCO has stationed mobile water tankers, temporary water
distribution points and emergency response teams to promptly address any
unforeseen disruption in water supply. A dedicated control room will function
round the clock during the Rath Yatra to monitor the system and facilitate
immediate response to any emergency.
The Minister further directed officials and implementing agencies to complete the 42 MLD Water Treatment Plant within the stipulated timeframe without compromising on quality. He cautioned that any negligence or deviation from prescribed standards would be dealt with seriously.
Reaffirming the State Government's commitment to ensuring efficient civic services during the annual festival, Dr. Mahapatra said the Housing and Urban Development Department and WATCO are fully geared up to facilitate a smooth, safe and well-managed Rath Yatra by ensuring uninterrupted access to clean drinking water for every devotee and resident.
