Bhubaneswar, Dec. 21: Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in and around the Sri Jagananth Temple in Puri and watch towers will be erected in view of the coming nabakalebar (change of idols) ceremony, scheduled to be held in 2015.

An estimated 10 million devotees are expected in Puri on the occasion.

The coastal town, known for its beaches and religious tourism, happens to be a high security risk area and therefore security in and around the 12th century temple and the beach will be tightened.

During the last nabakalebar festival that took place in 1996, around 20 lakh devotees had come to witness the grand event.

At a meeting of officials, chief secretary J.K. Mohapatra reviewed preparations for the festival, which is held every 12 to 14 years depending on the temple almanac. Security being the primary consideration, he asked the district collector and the superintendent of police to ensure that all temple servitors carried identity proofs. If necessary, the temple and the district administrations must issue identity cards in consultation with the police.

The meeting also reviewed the progress made to make Grand Road, where the chariots are pulled, free of encroachments.

Four watch towers will be built around the temple. If necessary, the authorities may also build some towers on the beach. The meeting was informed that construction of bridges and roads leading to Puri from Bhubaneswar would be over by next June.

Fourteen parking places have been identified along National Highway-203 that connects Bhubaneswar with Puri and eight in the town. The works department was asked to make the parking zones ready. Railway authorities were directed to complete the doubling of rail lines, construction of rail overbridge and upgrade of Puri railway station by next December.

Upgrade of power supply infrastructure was also discussed. Energy secretary P.K. Jena said the building of electricity infrastructure would be over on schedule if land was handed over by this month end. It was decided that strong action would be taken against those creating hurdles, and if necessary, they would be booked under the National Security Act.

Steps have also been initiated to revamp the health infrastructure in and around Puri. Construction of a six-bed ICU is complete at the Puri district headquarters hospital. The authorities aim to built a 100-bed hospital and trauma centre in Puri by next December. The chief secretary directed the health department authorities to create emergency health care facility for 500 people at a time.

Besides augmenting the capacity of hotels in Puri, there will be provisions for tented accommodations for 20,000 to 25,000 tourists during the coming car festival on an experimental basis. At present, there are around 20,000 hotel rooms in Puri.