Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar is set to host the 2nd National Mediation Conference at Lok Seva Bhawan on September 27-28.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai is scheduled to inaugurate a two-day national conference. The inaugural session will be graced by dignitaries, including Governor of Odisha, Hari Babu Kambhampati, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, among others.
“The event is being held with the objective of enriching dialogue on mediation as an alternative form of dispute resolution to empower practitioners and citizens,” law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said.
He noted that India has a long-standing tradition of settling disputes through dialogue, mentioning that village panchayats, led by elders, facilitated fair resolutions well before formal courts existed. “Mediation provides a compassionate and people-focused approach. It’s a dynamic movement grounded in our cultural values of dialogue, harmony, and reconciliation, fostering a more responsive and inclusive justice system,” he added.
Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, who was also present at the media briefing, said that several senior judges of the Supreme Court, chief justices and judges of different high courts, vice-chancellors of law universities, top officials from renowned law firms and other stakeholders will attend the conference.
“This is one of the biggest national events that the Odisha government, and office of the Advocate General are jointly organising in Bhubaneswar. The two-day conference will be attended by almost all legal minds of the country. Around 10 judges of the SC, including the chairman of the national legal services authority, Justice Suryakant will be here. Around 17 Chief Justices of 25 HCs will be attending. Almost all senior-most judges of the 25 HCs will be attending. Attorney General of India, Solicitor General of India, and all the Additional Solicitor GeneralsI, they will also be here. Odisha is the first state to popularise the mediation laws after enactment of the Mediation Act 2023 by Parliament. This is the vision of PM Modi for the purpose of imparting speedy, efficacious justice, also to reduce the burden on courts…” Acharya told the media.
Traffic Advisory
With such a large gathering of dignitaries, police anticipate heavy traffic congestion daily from 9 am to 8 pm at the venue and the dignitaries’ places of stay. Accordingly, a traffic advisory has been issued, urging commuters to avoid the route from Airport Square to NALCO Square via Hospital Square, AG Square, Raj Bhawan Square, Power House Square, 120 Bn. Square, Shastri Nagar Square, Behera Sahi Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, and Xavier Square.
Police have appealed to the public for cooperation and support, stressing that smooth traffic management is essential to the success of this prestigious national event.
