Bhubaneswar: Stepping up of health and sanitation facilities in and around Puri during the upcoming rath yatra was on the focus at the co-ordination meeting held in Puri on Monday.

Housing and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari said a senior officer in the rank of deputy secretary would be given independent responsibility to improve the sanitation facility in and around Puri town ahead of the rath yatra.

It was also decided that 757 hand pumps would be installed in various places, including the Grand Road in Puri. Round-the-clock power supply will also be ensured during the festival.

It was decided in the meeting that 81 more beds would be added to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital. Besides, ambulance and first aid facilities would also be made available for tourists. Though the issues of health and sanitation facilities in Puri was on the top of the agenda, the executive Officer and the councillors of Puri Municipality were conspicuous by their absence.

Waterlogging and poor sanitation are the most common problems seen during the rath yatra where around 10 lakh devotees and tourists congregate in the pilgrim town.

Revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty, who is the local MLA, presided over the coordination committee meeting. He said: "Fruitful discussion was held on various issues such as health, water and power supply, repair of roads and security arrangements. Officers have been appointed to take stock of pending works. Besides, we will take stock of the situation seven days ahead of the rath yatra and take steps to address the unresolved issues."

The East Coast Railway will run 186 special trains during the rath yatra and 35 more closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at Puri railway station.

"We have taken various measures to address traffic and security issues and have co-ordinated with various central government agencies," said inspector general of police, Central range, Soumyendra Priyadarshi.