Cuttack: Decks have now been cleared for holding the historic Bali Jatra on both upper and lower grounds in Cuttack city as the Orissa High Court has not imposed any curb on the venue for the mega trade fair.
The High Court, however, issued several directives to the administration and police on Thursday for the upcoming Bali Jatra to be held on the Mahanadi River bank from November 15 to 22.
As per the HC, the city police will have the responsibility to take necessary steps to stop the noise pollution during the annual festival. In addition, the police have been ordered to take necessary steps to avoid traffic jam and congestion.
Effective steps will be taken to manage the crowd with the creation of special corridors. Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has informed the HC about the arrangements being made.
Two new roads will connect the upper and lower grounds during the Bali Jatra.
HC has also ordered that there should not be any temporary shops from Mata Matha chowk to Biju Patnaik chowk and Cantonment Road to Chandi Chowk. The Court has ordered that special place be identified for temporary shops.
A green corridor will be created for ambulance services during the mega event.
While festival will be organised this year on the upper ground as well as the lower ground, the High Court restricted vending on road side or footpath in Bali Jatra area.