Bhubaneswar, Feb. 16: The state government will provide free transport to pilgrims, who are visiting Nabakalebar festival this year, from Malatipatapur, the new bus stand on the outskirts of Puri town.

The festival draws lakhs of devotees to Puri as during this time the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, the presiding deities of the 12th century Jagannath temple in the town, are replaced with new ones. Around 50 lakh devotees are expected to arrive at this place.

In the annual budget, which was presented in the Assembly today, finance minister Pradip Amat said: 'An outlay of Rs 20 crore is provided for Nabakalebar.'

The state has also decided to provide one-time grant of Rs 5 crore to the Jagananth temples that has found a place in the chart prepared by the government.

In order to ensure security of tourists, the state government has decided to set up a contingent of tourism police.

'The tourism police will be deployed during the festival. Specific budget provision of Rs 3 crore is earmarked for this purpose,' he said.

In order to provide round the clock power supply during the festival, the state government has also decided to allocate Rs 67 crore for improvement of power infrastructure in Puri.

The government has also made Rs 25.38 crore grant to Jagannath temple out of which Rs 2 crore will be spent on establishment of English medium residential schools and Rs 3 crore on housing scheme for poor sevak families.

In order to promote tourism in the state this year, Rs 148.68 crore has been allotted. In order to attract international tourists, Rs 27 crore will be spent on organisation of international events and advertisements.

Besides all these, the government has also earmarked Rs 16.25 crore in the budget for preservation of monuments and Buddhist heritage and Rs 3 crore for revival of Bhagabati Tungi.