In anticipation of the historic Bali Yatra 2025 in Cuttack, a high-level preparatory meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at the Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall.
The meeting focused on ensuring visitor safety, fire prevention measures, traffic control, and overall orderly management of the grand fair, with Ahuja issuing necessary directives and advice to all collaborating departments and organisations.
The Bali Yatra, an annual mega commercial fair featuring cultural festivities, diverse cuisines, and a vast marketplace for goods, is set to be organised smoothly and attractively this year. Ahuja emphasised the event’s role in uniting various cultures, languages, religions, and traditions, fostering a sense of unity. Each year, the fair draws lakhs of visitors, with last year’s edition seeing participation from over 60 major corporate entities, generating a total business of Rs 200 crore, including Rs 50 crore from ORMAS alone. This year, organisers anticipate over 70 lakh attendees, prompting enhanced measures for crowd control, traffic management, and parking arrangements by the Commissionerate Police.
Key discussions included establishing a police control room alongside essential service camps, using integrated public address systems for emergency announcements, and prioritising safety for women, children, and the elderly through the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) camp near the control room.
Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde presented a detailed update on preparations so far, noting that the historic Bali Yatra will commence on November 5, coinciding with the sacred Kartik Purnima, and run for eight days until November 12. Ongoing improvements to the fairground are underway.
Various departments outlined their roles: the Public Works Department for road upgrades and parking facilities; TPCODL for power supply and electrification; WATCO for water provision; and the Cuttack Municipal Corporation Commissioner for sanitation, toilet maintenance, and deploying food safety teams. Fire safety will be bolstered with adequate personnel deployment, while riverbank security will involve NDRF and ODRAF teams.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including State Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Public Works Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Balwant Singh, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and Secretary Aswathy S, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Commissioner and Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Secretary Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, CMC Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Dr. S. Dev Datta Singh, and Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dandeo, delved into comprehensive planning for the event.
Management of the Bali Yatra will be handled through various committees, including those for stall allocation, program organisation, cultural activities, media coordination, reception, parking, stage management, enforcement, inspection and security, sanitation, and electrification. Garg suggested prominent illuminated signage at key locations like the control room for better visitor guidance.
This year’s fair will feature a new pavilion themed “Odia Asmita – Ama Bhasha Ama Sahitya” (Odia Identity – Our Language, Our Literature), hosting programs, discussions, and felicitation events on Odia language, literature, and culture. An MSME enclave will promote micro, small, and medium enterprises. Cultural programs will include renowned artists from local areas, various districts of the state, and national and international levels.
With robust preparations emphasising safety and inclusivity, the Bali Yatra 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of Odisha’s maritime heritage and commercial spirit.
