6 queue lanes, no VIP passes for darshan at Banke Bihari

Agra: The high-powered management committee constituted by the Supreme Court for Banke Bihari Temple has introduced a series of reforms aimed at streamlining darshan procedures and addressing persistent irregularities in crowd management.

Following a detailed inspection of the shrine, the committee convened a meeting on Sat in which it was decided that three separate queue lines will be introduced at each of the two main entry gates. These queues will be regulated with newly installed steel railings, ensuring systematic movement. Devotees will also exit through these very lines, thereby creating a total of six organised entry and exit channels designed to ease congestion and prevent chaos during peak hours. Committee chairperson Justice Ashok Kumar (retd) told TOI, "Currently, devotees enter predominantly through gate numbers 2 and 3.

It was observed that worshippers often halt and unintentionally obstruct movement, causing serious bottlenecks. Therefore, the decision was taken to establish three single-file queues at each of these gates, equipped with barriers. With this arrangement, six disciplined entry and exit lines will come into effect, allowing devotees to proceed seamlessly for darshan and exit without disturbance, while ensuring that gates numbers 1 and 4 remain free of such pressure.

The existing gaps of nearly 8-10 feet will now be narrowed with the help of new railings. This will prevent anyone from pausing for extended periods in front of the deity and blocking the flow. Devotees are also reminded to remain mindful of others waiting behind them, and prolonged standing during darshan must be avoided."In another significant decision regarding darshan privileges, the committee declared the complete discontinuation of VIP passes.

"From now onwards, only govt officials and administrative dignitaries covered under official protocol will be granted facilitated access to the deity," Justice Kumar added. The committee further clarified that the unauthorised proliferation of VIP passes, which in recent years had ballooned to nearly 1,000-1,200 per day, with photocopied duplicates being openly misused, has been permanently discontinued.

Only official passes issued under the govt's established protocol for dignitaries will remain valid going forward.Regarding the matter of the temple's treasury, Justice Kumar said, "The issue of temple valuables and a room that has remained locked for nearly 45-50 years was taken up during the meeting. The room, secured with outdated locks and infested with rats, has never been opened in the recent decades. Neither the committee members nor the Goswamis are aware of its contents. It was therefore decided that the room must eventually be opened in a secure manner so that any valuables belonging to the deity can be safeguarded, catalogued and preserved properly.

" The high-powered management committee was constituted in response to persistent concerns over chronic mismanagement, misuse of VIP passes and lack of transparency in temple affairs.