If everything goes the way as planned, devotees will no longer have to wait in the sun and rain outside the Lion’s Gate for entry into Puri Srimandir.
Considering the sufferings of the devotees, the government is mulling to construct a dedicated air-conditioned corridor from Marchikote Square to the Lion’s Gate. This corridor will be there all throughout the year barring the period of the Car Festival when it will be removed.
As per sources, for the construction of this corridor, the shops all along the stretch from Srimandir to Marchikote Square will be removed.
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Informing about the decision, Puri Sub Collector Bhabatarana Sahu said, “As devotees are having to wait for long hours in sun and rain, a dedicated corridor for them will be constructed. Earlier, in this regard feedback from the devotees was collected. The corridor will be constructed from Marchikote Square. Our discussions with stakeholders are underway. Soon, it will be constructed.”
Earlier in the day, a multi-level parking on Jail Road was inaugurated. At a given time, it will accommodate 500 cars and an equal number of bikes. A four-wheeler owner has to pay Rs 50 for four hours and Rs 10 more for every extra hour.
After inaugurating the facility, Sub Collector, Bhabatarana Sahu informed that two more multi-level parking buildings will come up in Puri city.