MUMBAI: In less than two years, devotees from the city can hope to cut down on their 8- to 12-hour travel time to Shirdi and instead, fly over there in just a matter of half-an-hour, even as the Union environment ministry gave the nod for an airport to be constructed 13 km from the temple town.

Security at Shirdi Saibaba temple is being beefed up at a cost of Rs 5 crore and the new system can detect explosives. Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust officials said the system can also locate and alert the temple staff to the presence of thieves, pickpockets and even terrorists.
The officials held a meeting with additional chief secretary (home) Chandra Iyengar on Wednesday and the government has decided to hold security drills too. "We have told the local police to conduct security checks,'' she said.

The trust is creating facilitites along the route to help the pilgrims rest and refresh themselves before continuing their journey.