Kumarghat : Following the tragic incident at Kumarghat in Tripura’s Unakoti district last year, where ten devotees lost their lives during the Ulta Rath Yatra, the West Tripura district administration has issued new safety guidelines for this year’s event, instructing the organizers to keep the height of Lord Jagannath’s chariots below five meters.

Speaking with reporters, West District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar on Friday said that the Rath Yatra program will start from July 7 to 16 in Agartala city.

 “Around six organizations, including temples, will participate in this Rath Yatra, with two major participants being Jagannath Bari and ISKCON temple. On Thursday, we held a meeting with all the stakeholders, including the Public Works Department (PWD), Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL), Tripura Police, Traffic Police, Health Department, and other services, and issued some restrictions and guidelines,” he said.

The DM mentioned that last year there were some issues, especially in Kumarghat, and after the incident, the state government issued stern warnings to the organizers.

 “We are assuring that no such untoward incident will take place, and for that, we have made all necessary arrangements. We have given necessary restrictions to all, including the Public Works Department (PWD) and TSECL, to inspect the proposed chariots, with TSECL specifically checking transmission lines along the designated routes of the Rath Yatra.

We have also fixed the height of the Rath or chariot at 5 meters, and PWD and TSECL will inspect it to minimize the use of metal. Police escort, ambulance, and fire and emergency services vehicles will follow the chariot,” he said.