Puri, June 23 (UDN): In a major relief for local devotees, the Odisha government is set to introduce a special Aadhaar-based entry system to enable residents of Puri to have hassle-free darshan at the Jagannath Temple without having to wait in long queues.

Announcing the initiative, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said a dedicated mechanism is being developed with the assistance of the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) to facilitate convenient access for local residents.

Under the proposed system, eligible residents of Puri will be able to enter the temple premises by scanning their Aadhaar cards. The government is also putting in place adequate safeguards to ensure that only genuine residents can avail of the facility and to prevent any misuse.

At present, devotees are allowed to enter the Srimandir only through the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate), often resulting in long queues and inconvenience for local residents who visit the shrine regularly for daily darshan and rituals.

For years, residents of the pilgrim town have been demanding a separate and streamlined arrangement for darshan, citing difficulties in accessing the temple frequently under the existing system.

The proposed Aadhaar-linked entry mechanism is expected to address these concerns by providing a smoother and more efficient darshan experience for Puri residents while also improving crowd management at the temple.

Detailed guidelines regarding the implementation of the new system are likely to be issued by the authorities in the coming days.