Odisha prepares SOP for Rath Jatra

Govt approved a standard operating procedure for smooth management of the Rath Jatra at Puri on July 18

Keeping in view the stampede during a Lord Jagannath festival in 2006, Odisha govenrment today approved a standard operating procedure for smooth management of the Rath Jatra at Puri on July 18.

"All the departments linked with Nabakalebara festival have prepared their own disaster management plan. Taking all these plans together, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) for proper management of the eventualities," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) G V V Sarma said.

"We have prepared SOP for all such possible events. The officials are told what to do and what not to during the mishaps," Sarma said adding the booklets have been prepared to be distributed among the officials who are put in charge of different works.