West Tripura district sets new safety measures for Rath Yatra

Agartala: The West Tripura district administration has introduced new safety protocols for the upcoming Rath Yatra this year.

A key directive is that the height of Lord Jagannath’s chariots must be kept below five meters.

District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar announced that the Rath Yatra will be held in Agartala from July 7 to 16.

"Six organizations, including temples such as Jagannath Bari and ISKCON, will be major participants in this event," Dr. Kumar stated.

On Thursday, a comprehensive meeting was convened with various stakeholders, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL), Tripura Police, Traffic Police, Health Department, and other relevant services.

During the meeting, specific restrictions and guidelines were established to ensure the event's safety.

Dr. Kumar mentioned that last year’s incident in Kumarghat prompted the state government to issue strict warnings to organizers.

“We are determined to avoid any incidents this year and have taken all necessary precautions,” he said.

The PWD and TSECL have been instructed to inspect the proposed chariots, with TSECL focusing on the transmission lines along the Rath Yatra route.

The height of the chariots is capped at five meters, and PWD and TSECL will ensure minimal use of metal.

Additionally, police escorts, ambulances, and fire and emergency services will accompany the chariots to ensure safety throughout the event.