Puri: Amid opposition from visitors and others to Rs 500 vehicle parking charge per day at its Bhakta Nivas accommodations in Odisha’s Puri, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Friday firmly ruled out any reduction in the fee.
Chief Administrator of SJTA Arabinda Padhee made it clear that the parking fee at the guest houses run by the temple administration will remain Rs 500 per day and there is no move to reduce the amount.
Stressing that rooms at Bhakta Nivas are being provided to pilgrims at affordable rates, he said many visitors from outside do not arrive in four-wheelers and only five to ten vehicles are parked at these guest houses.
However, those who bring cars and other four-wheelers will have to pay a parking fee of Rs 500 per day, he said, adding that increasing the room rent would affect common devotees, and that is why there is no proposal to raise the accommodation charges.
The SJTA chief also made it clear that only those staying at Bhakta Nivas will be allowed to park their vehicles in the parking space provided there. Devotees not staying there will not be allowed to park their vehicles within the Bhakta Nivas premises. Pilgrims who wish to save money can park their vehicles at other designated parking facilities by paying Rs 240, he said.
Padhee further stated that devotees who wish to stay at Bhakta Nivas can also opt to park their vehicles at other parking locations.
“It was found that only five to ten vehicles are parked at Bhakta Nivas on a daily basis, and most devotees staying there do not come in four-wheelers.
It may be noted that the SJTA has for the first time implemented a parking charge for vehicles at its Bhakta Nivas. Devotees staying at the temple-managed guest houses will have to pay Rs 500 (inclusive of GST) for parking a four-wheeler for up to 24 hours. The fee applies specifically to four-wheeled vehicles and is part of efforts to manage facilities for the millions of devotees who visit Shree Jagannath Temple annually.
It took effect on January 7 at four Bhakta Nivas properties operated by SJTA – Neeladri Bhakta Niwas, Nilachala Bhakta & Yatri Niwas, Shree Gundicha Bhakta Niwas, and Shree Purushottam Bhakta Niwas.
These affordable lodging options, located conveniently along Grand Road and other prime spots near the temple, provide air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms with amenities to visitors.
The administration emphasised that the charge will help sustain infrastructure for the growing number of tourists and pilgrims flocking to Puri, one of Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
Visitors at these guest houses, however, have opposed this move, saying that such parking fees are not charged at hotels anywhere across the country.
Previously, parking at these facilities was often provided without dedicated fees, though general parking arrangements in Puri, such as at Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre, included nominal charges or shuttle services for temple access.
