Puri Jagannath Temple Parking Fee Row: No Rollback, Says Administration

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In a move that has sparked opposition, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Odisha's Puri has ruled out reducing the ₹500 parking fee at its guest houses. The decision, taken to improve space organization and management, has been met with criticism from the opposition BJD, which claims it may deter tourists from visiting the pilgrim city. However, SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee asserts that the fee is reasonable, citing that only a maximum of 10 vehicles are parked daily at the guest houses. Visitors can opt to park their vehicles at alternative facilities, such as the Jagannath Ballav parking space, which charges ₹250 for 24 hours. The administration has maintained that room tariffs at the guest houses will not be increased to accommodate the parking fee, ensuring that devotees continue to have affordable accommodation options.