No metal body, height limit five meters: Tripura rolls out SOP for Rath Yatra

Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 6 (ANI): The Tripura government has rolled out a standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising the Rath Yatra festival in the state in order to avoid any unprecedented incident.
It should be noted here that ten devotees were electrocuted to death after the metal made top of a chariot carrying lord Jagannath came in contact with a live electric wire at Kumarghat in Unakoti district. The Rath Yatra was organised by the Intentional Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Sharing details of the precautionary steps undertaken by the administration this time, District Magistrate West Tripura Vishal Kumar informed ANI that materials having insulative properties would be used for the construction of the chariot and the height of the chariot had been restricted to five meters.
"The SOP has been communicated to all the organisers. All agencies and organisers are asked to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations. The administrative teams have inspected the composition of the Rath and routes have been planned accordingly. We hope the best services will be provided to the people and the celebrations will not be marred by any unfortunate incident," he told ANI.
The District Magistrate also informed that Tripura State Electricity Corporation has also rolled out a specific guideline ahead of the festival.
"As per the recommendations of the TSECL, the highest height of the chariot will be five meters as the electric wires are fixed at a height of six meters. We have also asked the organisers to use insulators for construction of the chariot instead of metals. So, this time only wood will be used, which is also the tradition. Moreover, ambulances, fire services tenders, and heavy security escort the procession. The number of volunteers and police personnel attached to the big processions had doubled this time," he added.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha inaugurated the historic Jagannath Rath Yatra Mela in the Melaghar town of Sipahijala district of Tripura which will span for over nine days and will conclude on July 14, 2024.
This event is jointly organized by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs and the Melaghar Municipal Corporation.
A major highlight of this year's mela is the grand Rath (chariot) prepared for Lord Jagannath, which stands at an impressive height of 58 feet. The procession of the Rath is a central attraction, drawing devotees and visitors from across the region. (ANI)