Bhubaneswar, 09 January (H.S.): The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has clarified that the parking fee for four-wheelers at Srimandir Bhakta Nivas in Puri will continue at ₹500 per day and there is no proposal to reduce the charge.

Chief Administrator of SJTA, Arabinda Padhee, said the decision was taken keeping in mind the interests of the majority of devotees. He noted that accommodation at Bhakta Nivas is being provided to pilgrims at affordable rates and that most devotees visiting the shrine do not arrive in four-wheelers.

“Devotees who come to Bhakta Nivas in four-wheelers can afford to pay ₹500 as a parking fee. Increasing room rent would impact common devotees, which is why there is no proposal to revise accommodation charges,” Padhee said.

He further clarified that parking within the Bhakta Nivas premises is restricted and not open to outsiders. Pilgrims who do not wish to avail parking at Bhakta Nivas can use other designated parking facilities by paying ₹240 per day.

According to the SJTA Chief Administrator, an internal assessment revealed that only five to ten vehicles are parked at Bhakta Nivas on a daily basis, indicating that the majority of pilgrims staying there rely on public transport or other means of travel.

Padhee added that devotees staying at Bhakta Nivas have the option of parking their vehicles at alternative parking locations such as the Jagannath Ballav Parking Complex (JBPC) and continue to avail accommodation at Bhakta Nivas, thereby reducing their parking expenses.

The SJTA reiterated that the existing arrangement aims to balance affordability for the general pilgrim population while ensuring orderly parking management around the Srimandir premises.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda