Puri: In response to rising concerns over water-borne diseases and the expected influx of devotees during the upcoming Rathayatra festival, the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha has intensified public health preparedness in Puri. A high-level review meeting was held today at the Special Circuit House following the directive of Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Development.
The meeting, chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, H&UD Department, brought together senior officials including the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, representatives from WATCO, Puri Municipality, and other key line departments. The primary focus was on ensuring clean drinking water, food safety, sanitation, and vector control in the city.
To strengthen water quality monitoring, WATCO will conduct random testing of water samples from public and private sources, such as overhead tanks, tube wells, and packaged drinking water units. A mobile “Lab-on-Wheel” will be stationed in Puri to support on-the-spot testing and quick response. Additionally, Jalasathis will collect water samples from households to expand surveillance and reinforce public confidence in drinking water safety.
Food safety inspections are also being scaled up. Food Safety Officers are currently inspecting restaurants, hotels, and roadside food vendors, with more officers to be deployed by the Health & Family Welfare Department to handle the large crowds expected during the festival.
To raise awareness, Puri Municipality has been instructed to intensify information campaigns through loudspeaker announcements and IEC material distribution, focusing on the importance of safe drinking water and hygienic food. Enforcement teams will follow up with checks on unhygienic practices, particularly around the seabeach and other high-footfall areas. Local police will support these drives to ensure effective implementation.
To combat mosquito breeding, a dedicated agency is deploying drone-based spraying of repellents in crowded and hard-to-reach locations. On-ground support is being bolstered with the deployment of eight Executive Officers and seven Engineers to assist with field-level implementation of various health and sanitation measures.
In a significant move, the Director (Operations) of WATCO has been stationed in Puri to oversee all water supply and sewerage-related operations during this crucial period.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Principal Secretary Usha Padhee stated that ensuring public health and hygiene remains the top priority. She emphasized that all departments will work in close coordination to maintain strict sanitation standards and safeguard the wellbeing of both residents and pilgrims during the Rathayatra festivities.