Bhubaneswar, Sept 9 : This year’s Dussehra celebrations in the capital city are set to be grander, with more than 190 pandals expected to come up across Bhubaneswar, compared to 187 last year. The festivities will cover all 67 wards, with special attention on eco-friendly practices.
At a preparatory meeting chaired by Mayor Sulochana Das, officials from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Commissionerate Police, puja committees, and other stakeholders discussed key measures for smooth and safe celebrations.
Eighteen priority areas have been identified for special focus, with road repairs and traffic management topping the agenda. Road improvement works worth ₹10 crore have already been sanctioned, and contractors have been instructed to complete them by the end of this month. Line agencies, including Watco, have been directed to halt road-digging activities until the festival concludes.
Mayor Das further announced that streetlight repairs will be taken up on priority, with adequate manpower deployed from concerned departments. Rapid response teams will be stationed in vulnerable locations to deal with waterlogging in case of rains. The sanitation wing has also been instructed to intensify bush-cutting and cleanliness drives ahead of the festival.
To support developmental activities, ₹5 lakh has been earmarked for each ward. The mayor also urged puja committees and vendors to minimise single-use plastic, continue awareness drives, and actively participate in the flower waste collection initiative launched during Ganesh Puja.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.