Nabakalebar festival preparation at slow pace: OPCC

Hitting out at BJD Government in Odisha for "tardy" progress in preparation of 'Nabakalebar' festival of Lord Jagannath, Congress today claimed about 50 per cent of work was yet to be completed for the mega event scheduled in July this year.
Though Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been claiming for last three years that preparation for Nabakalebar was in full swing, work is moving at a snail's pace and many projects remain incomplete, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Prasad Harichandan told reporters here.
There is little progress even after the local MLA was given a cabinet minister rank to supervise preparations for the grand festival.

Construction of infrastructure projects taken up by the state government are yet to be completed due to lack of focus and seriousness on its part, Harichandan said, adding not a single Nabakalebar project is complete.
Senior Congress leader Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra said the government failed to follow any strict timeline for completion of various projects and major works relating to sewerage, roads, railway line, foot overbridge, bus terminal and electrification are running behind schedule.
Harichandan said the state government should not treat Nabakalebar like any other annual Rath yatra and it must be fully prepared for handling a massive congregation of devotees to prevent any mishap and chaotic situation.

Accusing the government of failing to put in place proper health and medical facilities for the festival, he said adequate attention should be given to security and traffic management.
BJD spokesman Samir Dash said though there was some delay, the government is taking necessary steps to finish all preparations on time.