Cuttack: The largest trade and commerce fair of Odisha, Bali Jatra, at Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack will be a 11-day affair this year.
The historic fair is usually held for seven days.
The district administration has already started preparations for the fair. In those four extra days, the visitors can enjoy horse riding, boating and star nights with Ollywood and Bollywood artistes, sources said.
The stall distribution work will start at Bali Jatra ground from Tuesday.
However, the traders are dissatisfied with the increased rate of plots.
Cuttack Sadar Additional Tehsildar Pradipta Satpathy said, “We did Bhumi Puja today. A total of 950 stalls will be set up this year. Besides, ORMAS will have around 300 stalls.”
Bali Jatra Traders’ Association Secretary Sukant Mohanty said, “Last year, we had opposed the price hike, as a result of which Rs 2 was increased. The district collector had promised that the hike will be done once in three years. This year, a new collector has taken charge and again the district administration has increased the price.”
