Bhubaneswar: The state govt has roped in IIT Bhubaneswar to provide technical expertise for the proposed queue darshan system inside the Puri Jagannath temple to streamline crowd management. Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, speaking to reporters after a review meeting here on Monday evening, said the earlier plan to introduce elevated wooden ramps in the Nata Mandap and Jagamohan areas would be modified.“We had initially planned wooden ramps to improve devotees’ view of the deities. However, IIT Bhubaneswar is now preparing a pilot model to further refine the design,” the minister said. Sources indicated that the prototype being developed by IIT Bhubaneswar is expected to be ready for a trial run within the next 3 to 4 months.As per the revised plan, 5 to 6 lanes of elevated ramps will be constructed in the Nata Mandap and Jagamohan, enabling at least 8,000 to 10,000 devotees to move through the system every hour. The design will raise the eye level of devotees, allowing clearer glimpses of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from a distance.SJTA officials stressed that the modification is crucial, given the current disorganised system where devotees crowd the Nata Mandap during major festivals, often struggling amid chaos and congestion. “The present arrangement leaves many disappointed, as they cannot properly view the deities. The new system will not only ease congestion but also enrich the spiritual experience,” a senior temple official said. Temple authorities believe the initiative will streamline crowd flow, reduce disorder, and provide a more fulfilling darshan for visitors.
