Gajapati alarms govt to take necessary steps to check wood supply for chariot construction

Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb raised an alarm over the availability of wood for the Rath Yatra in Odisha. He urged the state government to take necessary steps from at the earliest to secure the wood supply.

Gajapati Maharaja of Puri stressed that steps to ensure wood availability for the Rath construction should be taken now. Earlier, the supply of wood for the chariot construction was not an issue as there was plenty of forests.

Over the years the green cover have depleted and the availability of wood can be a major cause of concern if not checked now. He alleged that the Forest and environment department has not released the entire report on the progress of plantations under Jagannath Vana Prakalpa to SJTA.

The Jagannath Vana Prakalp introduced by the Odisha government is aimed at undertaking plantations to grow timbre for the chariot.

For chariot construction, traditionally, wood has been used and no other substance is used. So, the government needs to take necessary measures so that there would be no shortage of wood.

This year Netra Utsav and Naba Jaubana Darshan falls on the same day and he has urged the administration for a disciplined conduct of rituals. He also said that after the Rath Yatra, the renovation and beautification of inner part and backside of Gundicha temple is likely to be done.