In the wake of the two-km-long barricade from Market Chhak to the Jagannath Temple here triggering resentment among the devotees, the district administration on Sunday decided to shorten the barricades. Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said the present barricade would be shortened considering the difficulties faced by devotees, especially senior citizens. From Monday onwards, the barricade would be set up from Marichikote to Shree Mandir.
Earlier, the administration had erected barricades from Market Chhak to the temple expecting large crowds after it was decided to allow devotees to the temple without producing Covid negative test report. As per a standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) earlier, devotees are being allowed to have darshan of the deities from 7 am in a queue. There is a separate queue for senior citizens and differently-abled devotees. However, all pilgrims are required to wear masks at all times in and outside the temple premises.