Rath reaches destination 3 hrs late after wheel snag
Times of India | 8 July 2024
Kolkata: The Iskcon Kolkata Rath Yatra on Sunday afternoon was hit by a snag in the main chariot on which Lord Jagannath rides, leading to a delay of more than three hours as mechanics struggled to fix the problem. Finally, a breakdown vehicle was deployed to haul the chariot directly to Brigade Parade Ground via AJC Bose Road instead of the circuitous route that left lakhs gathered along the scheduled route disappointed.
The chariots of Balaram, Subhadra and Jagannath travel 6 km on the day of Rath and 8 km on Ultorath a week later.Iskcon officials said mechanics would work on the steering system and resolve the issue before Ultorath on July 15.
While the roadshow on both days usually disrupts traffic along the route for 2-3 hours, on Sunday, the disruption persisted for over 5 hours with devotees who had watched chariots carrying Balaram and Subhadra roll by continuing to throng the streets, waiting for Jagannath’s chariot. It was only after announcements were made about the change in route — necessitated by the exigency — that the crowd reluctantly dispersed and traffic limped back to normal on Sarat Bose Road, Hazra Road, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road and Ashutosh Mukerjee Road. But the gridlock was felt even beyond, till Rashbehari Avenue. Traffic police had a trying time diverting vehicles and said the saving grace was that it was a Sunday.
On Sunday, the programme was delayed at the onset due to a heavy downpour. After CM Mamata Banerjee flagged off the Rath Yatra around 2.30 pm, the procession began at 2.50 pm with devotees leading. Balaram’s chariot started at 3 pm and Subhadra’s chariot joined after 15 minutes. Jagannath’s chariot started after another 15 minutes. The snag was detected when the chariots reached AJC Bose Road.
“We were unable to steer the chariot and turn the wheels. There was a snag in the gearbox, possibly caused by rainwater entering the steering column, pinion gear and rack-and-pinion case. The procession halted at first but when it became clear the snag would take time to repair, we allowed the other two chariots to continue,” Iskcon Kolkata vice-president Radharamn Das said.
The CM directed the police commissioner to help and two mechanics, in addition to the ones that accompany the chariots, were deployed. The snag appeared to have been repaired around 5 pm but the problem persisted, forcing Iskcon to requisition a breakdown van around 7 pm and tow it to Brigade Parade Ground.
“There have been instances in Puri where the rath has not completed the journey during daylight hours and resumed the next day. But we did not wish to do so because of the disruption it would cause. Schools and offices will be open on Monday,” said Das.
TOI on Saturday wrote about Iskcon’s plan to change the worn-out passenger aircraft tyres used in Jagannath’s chariot for 53 years with those of a fighter jet. On Sunday, Iskcon said it would go in for an overhaul of the chariot’s steering system and wheels.