Puri, July 5 -- As the Bahuda Yatra began in Puri on Sunday, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government has mobilised every department to manage the swelling crowds.

Bahuda Yatra -- the return leg of the annual car festival -- marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the Shri Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple.

Pujari noted that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the up-gradation of Puri Municipality into a Municipal Corporation, which he said will allow wider roads, smoother traffic flow and better civic amenities ahead of future Rath Yatras.

"You can see the preparation made by the Government. Having said that, this is not only the responsibility of the Government. Simu...