Bhubaneswar: The housing and urban development department has chalked out plans to observe the first ever swachh rath yatra in Puri and here following a direction from the Centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mooted the idea during a review meeting of Swachh Bharat Mission on March 13. A communication issued on June 13 from the Centre asked the state to take steps in this regard.

According to the plan, education and communication prototypes, including audio visuals such as audio spots, video spots, jingles and documentaries, have been prepared by the housing and urban development department for screening during rath yatra.

Besides, hoarding and paintings on cleanliness will be put at prominent locations to spread awareness.

A sand art on Swachh Bharat Mission will be created on the Puri beach during the festival.

The department has also asked the local authorities to take steps to ban selling and use of plastic, mainly water pouches, during the festival.

Wastebins in adequate numbers will be put on the sites of the festivals for proper management of solid waste.

Modular toilets would be set up at the rath yatra venue in Puri and in the state capital for use of the visitors as well as general public.

Large LED screens will be put up on the Grand Road for dissemination of information on cleanliness.

The local authorities have been asked to collaborate with voluntary organisations for conduct of open quiz on Swachh Bharat.

Street plays will also be organised during rath yatra to generate mass awareness.

"This would be the first time that a big platform like rath yatra will be used for promotion of Swachh Bharat Mission. We have made plans to organise the first ever swachh fair in the country," said an official of urban development department.

He said to spread awareness, focus would be put on spread message on twin-pit toilet access and usage besides other sanitation messages relating to solid and liquid waste management and prohibition on the use of plastic.

Sources said while Puri would be in focus, other urban local bodies including the state capital had been asked to comply with the direction and take up activities accordingly.

"We have got the direction and will conduct the activities in line with it," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.