Bhubaneswar, Dec. 7: The Jagannath temple administration in Puri has decided to revive the devotional music system along the 2.8km stretch of Grand Road (Bada Danda). The system has been lying defunct for the past eight years.

The temple administration today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Central Electricity Supply Utility (Cesu) to install 32 high-performance speakers and as many as 27 horn-loaded speakers along Grand Road to play devotional music and air information for devotees.

The NTPC will also install 32 high-mast lights along with 192 light emitting diodes (LED) on both sides of Grand Road. “At present, we have an announcement system extended till areas adjacent to the singhadwar (main gate) and four entry and exit points to the temple. The new sound system would be very helpful during the car festival,” said a temple administration official.

The illumination project is aimed at better lighting and efficient energy consumption. Officials in the temple administration said the LED lights would help in reducing electricity bills by 60 per cent.

According to the MoU, Cesu will execute the entire project on behalf of the NTPC. The sound system and lighting project will cost around Rs 2.51 crore and the NTPC has agreed to fund the entire project as a part of its corporate social responsibility. The energy charge would be borne by Puri Municipality.

“The project will be completed before the next car festival,” said chief administrator of the temple Arvind Padhee.