Puri: Not only is Jagannath Temple bedecked with flowers, the district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have erected new barricades and sheds on the Grand Road to provide a hassle-free shrine visit to the devotees on New Year’s Day.
Hundreds of flower plants have been placed alongside the Meghanada wall to beautify the temple. The administration has erected a 270-ft long barricade having 10 rows to regulate the crowd. The entire barricade has been covered with sheds and fitted with CCTVs and sound boxes. Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance of the barricades. “There are special facilities for senior citizens and differently-abled devotees. The barricades and the Lions’ Gate have been decorated with flowers,” said an official.
“The entire locality has been decorated with lights and flowers. Devotees will get a new experience while visiting the shrine on New Year’s Day,” he added.
Meanwhile, the district police has issued a traffic advisory in view of large number of tourists thronging the town for New Year celebrations.
Passenger buses coming from Bhubaneswar and Konark side will use regular route for the Municipality Bus Stand and buses coming from Brahmagiri side shall be allowed up to Jatia Baba Ji Chhak, and during the return journey they will avail the same route.
Inter state/Tourist buses coming from Bhubaneswar on NH-316 and Konark side via ROB will park at Malatipatpur Bus Terminal. Tourists can avail mini-buses/auto-rickshaws for Puri and those intending to go Satapada shall avail by-pass road from Batagaon to Mangalaghat road.
Heavy and medium vehicles such as trucks and tractors coming from Bhubaneswar side on NH-316 shall not be allowed to enter Puri town on December 31 and January 1.
Four wheelers coming from Bhubaneswar will be parked at Jagannath Ballav and Old Jail parking sites. When both the parking places get filled up, vehicles will be parked on both sides of Grand Road from Badasankha to Gundicha Mandir.
When these parking places get filled up, the vehicles will be diverted from Malatipatpur ROB to Talabania, Indoor Stadium, ITI Campus and Jagannath Stadium parking places. These parking places will also be used for vehicles coming from Konark.
Four wheelers coming from Brahmagiri will be parked at Flourish India parking place near Mangala Ghat. Vehicles intending to proceed sea beach shall be allowed to park at Digabareni and Yatrika parkings.
Two wheelers will be allowed to park at Market Chhak, Mochi Sahi and Nilachala Ashoka. However, they will not be allowed to proceed towards Lion Gate beyond Market Chhaka.
