Accident insurance for devotees, others during Rath Jatra

BHUBANESWAR: Expecting a footfall of about 50 lakh devotees at Puri during Lord Jagannath's Nabakalebara Rath Jatra, the Odisha government has made provision of accident insurance worth Rs 5 lakh for devotees, officials, temple staff and priests.

"If any of the devotees, servitors, temple employees and government employee die of unnatural death due to terrorist attack, building collapse, stampede and drowning in and around Sri Gundicha temple and areas coming under Puri Municipality, the families of the deceased would be provided with Rs 5 lakh each," Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's chief administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said.

All those visiting or staying in Puri would be covered under the accident insurance scheme, he said, adding, SJTA has an agreement with the New India Assurance company for providing insurance coverage.

The insurance cover would remain valid from 'Netrotsav' (July 17) to the 'Niladri Vije' (July 30) of the Lords.

As devotees in large number were expected throng the temple during Nabakalebara year, the SJTA has also decided to to extend the accident insurance coverage for the visitors in Shri Jagannath temple for one year.

Though the state government had made similar provisions during Rath Jatra in previous years, the insurance coverage was only Rs 1 lakh. This time it was increased to Rs 5 lakh.

Besides, the coverage area has also been enhanced. While in previous schemes, the insurance facility was for the main temple, Gundicha Temple and grand road, this time it would cover the entire Puri municipality area, Mohapatra said.