THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 25, 2026
Reliance Foundation's Puri Annaseva 2026 GIS Platform has
emerged as one of the standout technology-driven initiatives during the ongoing
Puri Rath Yatra 2026, drawing attention from tech-savvy pilgrims as well as
government officials for its role in enhancing the planning and delivery of
Seva services.
Developed as a prototype digital platform, the GIS-enabled
solution has been designed to strengthen the planning, coordination, digital
mapping, navigation, monitoring, verification and documentation of Seva
activities during the annual Rath Yatra. Accessible through desktop computers,
mobile phones and tablets, the platform integrates geotagged service locations,
photographs, deployment details, visitor information, navigation support and
field-progress tracking on a single interactive map.
The platform enables pilgrims and visitors to easily locate
the nearest Police Aid Posts, primary medical assistance centres and other
essential public facilities. Users can also explore important temples, beach
zones, cultural destinations, transport hubs, parking areas and public service
centres. In addition, the application provides distance and navigation details
from key landmarks such as the Shree Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Temple and the
Anna Seva Centre at Bholanath High School.
For operational teams, the GIS platform serves as a
comprehensive digital management tool. It enables field personnel to locate
facilities, navigate to service points, access geotagged photographs, verify
deployed assets, monitor implementation progress and maintain digital records
for reporting and review. By supporting planning, monitoring, verification and
documentation, the platform is helping improve field coordination and
operational decision-making during one of the country's largest religious
gatherings.
Developed specifically for Reliance Foundation's Puri Rath
Yatra Seva Services 2026, the prototype is expected to be further refined and
adapted for future Seva initiatives and other large-scale public events.
Reliance Foundation, in collaboration with the Puri district
administration, is implementing a comprehensive range of support services under
Puri Rath Yatra Seva Services 2026. The initiative brings together Anna Seva,
public support infrastructure, sanitation, volunteer engagement, community
outreach and technology-enabled coordination to strengthen frontline assistance
and help ensure a safe, seamless and well-managed pilgrimage for the lakhs of
devotees visiting the holy city.
As part of its Anna Seva initiative, Reliance Foundation is
serving freshly prepared satvik meals and safe drinking water to pilgrims and
frontline personnel from July 15 to 27 through its Central Kitchen and
dedicated serving facility at Bholanath High School on Grand Road, Puri.
The Foundation has also supported the establishment of around
90 Police Aid Posts across more than 50 kilometres of key pilgrim routes,
covering temple access points, transit locations, medical zones, major
intersections and coastal areas.
Under its City Cleanliness Drive, Reliance Foundation is
providing garbage bags and protective gloves through the Puri Municipality to
sanitation workers, volunteers and pilgrim-service organisations deployed in
high-footfall areas, reinforcing efforts to maintain cleanliness during the
festival.
