Bhubaneswar, June 16: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has decided to run 186 special trains between June 25 and July 4 for the annual rath yatra. The ECoR has also decided to open 36 additional booking counters at the Puri railway station for the occasion.

While 34 trains will run on the occasion of Gundicha yatra and sunabesha, 32 special trains will run on the day of bahuda yatra.

"Another 24 booking counters will operate round the clock at various stations including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during this period. Four additional enquiry counters will be set up at Puri railway station along with the existing enquiry counter. The counters will be strategically located to help the passengers," said divisional railway manager of Khurda Road station Braj Mohan Agarwal.

Another senior railway official said 60 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed at the Puri railway station to ensure the safety of the passengers. In addition, two drone cameras will keep tabs on the movement of passengers. "RPF and GRP personnel and sniffer dogs will be deployed at Puri railway station. Fire service personnel will also be ready with fire tenders to attend to any emergency," said the railway officer.

The ECoR will also set up a temporary shed for around 1,000 people with toilet and bathroom facilities near the Puri railway station.

"The railways will fix the time table of the special trains and display the timings at important railway stations," added Agarwal.