Cuttack, Nov 21: Communication to Dhabaleswar temple by river route was disrupted on saturday as the boat services to the holy shrine from Bidanasi ghat here was stopped by the boatmen in protest of administration’s decision of compulsory insurance.
Devotees, who used to use the short-cut route by crossing river through boat to reach the place, now have to take the road route and cross the river by hanging bridge. The district administration had earlier asked the boat operators to provide the devotees with life jackets for their safety.
However, the administration has made elaborate arrangements at the temple in view of large congregation of devotees from across the State on ‘Panchuka’ beginning Saturday.
As many as 16 platoons of police and 60 traffic personnel along with 106 assistant sub-inspectors have been pressed into service. Nine DSPs and 16 inspectors have been mobilized to keep watch on the crowd.
