Puri: Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday announced a special arrangement to facilitate the entry of Puri residents into the Shree Jagannath Temple during the upcoming Rath Yatra.
Speaking after chairing the second coordination meeting for the annual festival, Harichandan said a dedicated mechanism is being developed to ensure convenient access for local residents to have darshan of Lord Jagannath amid the massive rush of devotees expected during the festival.
The minister said the facility is being designed with the assistance of the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) and will be implemented on the basis of the two postal PIN codes covering Puri town.
Under the proposed arrangement, eligible residents will be allowed entry into the temple by producing their Aadhaar cards as proof of identity and residence.
Harichandan clarified that the special provision would be strictly limited to residents of Puri and that they would not be permitted to bring relatives, friends or other accompanying persons under the facility.
The minister said the initiative aims to ensure that local residents are able to have darshan smoothly during Rath Yatra, when the pilgrim town witnesses an unprecedented influx of devotees from across the country and abroad.
Further details regarding the implementation of the system are expected to be announced before the commencement of the festival.
