Bhubaneswar, Oct 4: The historic Bali Yatra, one of Odisha’s largest cultural festivals and trade fairs, will take place from November 5 to 12, in Cuttack.

A high-level preparatory meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday, chaired by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, to review ongoing arrangements.

Emphasizing the scale of the event, the Commissioner underscored the need to prioritize visitor convenience, crowd management, and safety, with over 70 lakh visitors expected, including 7–8 lakh attendees each evening.

Key directives included:

• Increasing entry and exit points
• Installing glow signboards and a digital signage system
• Launching a mobile app for visitor information and emergency support
• Establishing an integrated control room with police and disaster response teams

This year’s highlights include:

• A mechanized boat display on the Mahanadi riverbank, celebrating Kalinga’s maritime legacy
• Construction of three temporary jetties
• Beautification of the Silver City Boat Club

In terms of commerce:

• 1,670 stalls will be allotted to local entrepreneurs and business groups
• 500 stalls under ORMAS will host the Pallishree Mela, featuring national-level participants
• Last year’s fair generated ₹200 crore in business, including ₹50 crore through ORMAS; higher figures are expected this year

Cultural line-up

The cultural segment will showcase performances by Bollywood, Ollywood, and international artists. Over 80 cultural institutions have applied to participate. A special program, “Odia Asmita, Ama Bhasa Ama Sahitya,” at the Cuttack-in-Cuttack Pavilion, will highlight Odia language, literature, and cultural identity.

Infrastructure and logistics

Preparations underway include:

• Traffic and parking management
• Free CRUT shuttle services from Trishulia to Jobra
• Installation of temporary bio-toilets
• Fire safety arrangements
• Deployment of NDRF and ODRAF teams
• Enhanced power supply and accommodation facilities

Tags: prameyanews Bali Yatra