The Centre on Thursday allowed the Odisha government to go ahead with the construction of the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings for the upcoming Rath Yatra.

However, the Centre has made it clear that the state government will have to take the final call on whether the Puri Rath Yatra will be held this year. The nine-day festival, attended by lakhs of devotees, is scheduled to begin on June 23.

The Odisha government had on Wednesday sought the Centre’s clarification on whether the chariots could be built during the lockdown.

The undersecretary in the Union home ministry, Ashish Kumar Singh, has written in a letter to the Odisha chief secretary: “The undersigned is directed to convey that the activity of Rath construction is allowed to be undertaken in the Rath Khala, which is situated on both sides of the Grand Road in front of the Temple office and Sri Nahar (Palace).”

The Centre has laid down certain conditions. “No religious congregation takes place in the Ratha Khala. Complete segregation of the Ratha Khala should be ensured,” the letter said.

Ratha Khala is the designated site for the construction of the three chariots.

The letter said: “The new guidelines on lockdown measures issued by MHA on 1st May, 2020, including the National Directives for COVID-19 Management, should be completely adhered to.

“However, the decisions regarding holding of Ratha Yatra be taken by the state government keeping in view the conditions prevailing at that point of time.”

The Puri Jagannath temple administration had last Monday sought the Odisha government’s permission for chariot construction.

“With the Centre making its stand clear, the Naveen Patnaik government has to take a tough call. It will be known on Friday. Till then, we have to wait,” said a senior member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee.