Puri Jagannath Temple To Have 6-Lane Ramp For Elderly & Divyang Devotees

Puri: A six-lane ramp facility will be provided at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri town for the convenience of differently-abled devotees and senior citizens.

Announcing this on Thursday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said the step is being taken to ensure smooth and hassle-free darshan for senior and differently-abled devotees at the shrine.

Details about the proposed facility were discussed at a meeting between officials of the temple administration and Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC). Various other developmental programmes to be undertaken at the Temple were also discussed.

Chief Administrator of the SJTA Arabinda Padhee reviewed the progress of the proposed darshan arrangements at the Temple’s Nata Mandap based on recommendations from the Management Committee and the Chhatisha Nijog, a body of servitors.

Sources said that Padhee urged the OBCC to complete the project expeditiously in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the temple’s technical committee. The temple administration would extend all necessary assistance to the OBCC to ensure timely completion of the project.

It may be noted that the OBCC has been tasked with the temple heritage corridor project which includes the making of a corridor of 75 m width around the Meghanada Pacheri of the Jagannath Temple, a multi-level car parking facility linked to NH via Shree Setu, improved access to the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre with a 2.3 km 4-lane road bridge, welcome gate, and viewpoints, among other projects.

The OBCC was also asked in October to take up the task of installation of ramps and collapsible barricades under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme. The construction work for this is expected to begin soon.