Puri, Feb 26: In a major relief for tourists visiting the sea beach, the Puri Municipality has introduced a smart baggage locker system for the first time to prevent theft and ensure convenience for visitors.
Tourists often leave their bags on the sand while taking a dip in the sea, leading to frequent complaints of theft. Addressing the issue, the civic body has launched the locker facility on a trial basis at two locations — in front of Victoria Hotel and near Digabareni Square along the beach.
To use the facility, visitors need to scan the QR code displayed at the locker unit, enable their location, and enter the required details. After making the payment online, the locker opens automatically. Tourists can then store their belongings such as bags, footwear, and mobile phones and securely lock it through their mobile devices.
Each locker unit consists of 27 compartments in four sizes — small, medium, large, and extra-large. The extra-large locker, which can accommodate 8 to 10 bags along with other items, is priced at ₹118 per hour. The large locker costs ₹69.62 per hour, the medium locker ₹29.05 per hour, and the small locker ₹18.88 per hour. All payments are to be made online.
The facility has been made operational from the 25th of this month. Officials said that steps will be taken to expand the service depending on public response and usage.
