Puri Jagannath temple will now have its own FM radio channel

Odisha: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhi on Friday informed that Puri Srimandir will soon have its own FM radio channel after an important meeting of the Managing Committee. Several important issues, including streamlining darshan for devotees and welfare measures for sevadars, were discussed in the Managing Committee meeting that lasted for more than four hours today. Apart from this, the budget of Rs 413 crore of Puri Srimandir has also been approved. Since the Odisha government has made a provision of a fund of Rs 500 crore, if we include it in the corpus fund then it will be around Rs 913 crore. According to Padhi, the fiscal surplus for 2024-25 is Rs 103 crore. The Chief Administrator of SJTA informed that important aspects were discussed in the Managing Committee meeting with a focus on smooth and hassle-free darshan by devotees at Puri Srimandir. The committee has assigned the Collector, SP and SJTA Chief Administrator to interact with the sevadars and new measures like removal of almirahs and making the nata mandap air-conditioned etc. have been approved. Besides, dedicated rows will be made for women and children and special measures will be taken for Divyangs and elderly devotees visiting the temple. All provisions will be made after prior consultation with all stakeholders. The managing committee today also discussed the issue of welfare of sevadars which includes health insurance, financial aid, scholarships for children of sevadar families and sports financial aid. The SJTA Chief Administrator said that an SOP will be made in this regard soon.