Puri: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hopes for the annual Ratha Jatra in Puri took wings when the Puri Municipality asked makeshift shopkeepers on the ‘Bada Danda’ (Grand Road) to relocate by June 19. The Puri Municipality officials in a microphone announced its decision on makeshift shops today evening.

Earlier in the day, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) handed over the permission letter (Anumati Patra) to ‘Deula Purohit’ servitor to perform yajna on the day of Ratha Jatra so that the chariots can be consecrated.

Hearing a petition on the Ratha Jatra, the Orissa High Court said the State government has to take a final decision on the annual fete scheduled to be held on June 23.

The court also proposed to pull the three chariots with the help of elephants or machines in case of absence of devotees in view of COVID-19 norms.

Meanwhile, a plea was moved by an NGO in the Supreme Court opposing the HC directive on the Ratha Jatra.