City

COVID-19: No Khandagiri Mela In Bhubaneswar This Year

Bhubaneswar: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Khandagiri Mela in Bhubaneswar will not be held this year.

In a notification issued on Tuesday, Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Prem Chandra Chaudhary said as the government has stipulated organisation of such fairs subject to conditions of adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, a coordination committee meeting was held on February 2 to invite proposals from the Jatra committees to explore the possibility of holding the Mela.

While some Jatra committee members had submitted proposals and undertaking to abide by the COVID-19 safety protocols and suggested that they will erect the opera pandals and stalls from Jagamara Melana Padia to Khandagiri Hill and from Khandagiri Hill Sauchalaya to Sibananda School, there was a representation from an organisation not to allow holding the Mela in view of the pandemic, he said.

However, during a field study, it was observed that due to the ongoing expansion work of NH-5, the road being used has become extremely narrow. It was felt that there will be serious traffic and law and order due to the congregation of a large number of people and no space to accommodate the temporary stalls.

“Due to the assembly of a large number of people in the Mela, it is apprehended that maintenance of social distancing as per COVID-19 safety protocol will not be possible which will endanger public safety. Taking this into consideration, it has been decided that the Mela will not be held for this year in the city,” the BMC Commissioner said.

However, he said the usual rituals being observed in relation to Magha Saptami may be done with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Rs 220 Cr Cocaine Seizure In Odisha: Cargo Ship Crew To Return To Vietnam After Year-Long Detention

Paradip: Crew members of a cargo ship, which has been berthed at Odisha’s Paradip port…

11 minutes ago

After Two-Day Closure, Odisha’s Similipal National Park Reopens For Tourists

Bhubaneswar: After a two-day closure due to heavy rainfall, Similipal National Park located in Odisha’s…

40 minutes ago

Bhubaneswar’s SAI International Residential School Celebrates 7th Founder’s Day In Style

Bhubaneswar: The Annual Founder’s Day of SAI International Residential School (SIRS) was celebrated in style,…

43 minutes ago

Locals Snatch Excise Team’s Vehicle Keys Over Brown Sugar Peddler’s Arrest In Odisha

Balasore: Tension prevailed at Kamarda Bazar in Odisha’s Balasore district during a crackdown by excise…

1 hour ago

Private Plane Crashes In Brazil’s Mountain Resort Town; At Least 10 People Killed

New Delhi: A private plane crashed in Gramado, a popular mountain resort town in Brazil,…

1 hour ago

Desecration Of Hanuman Idol Triggers Protest In Odisha’s Keonjhar

Keonjhar: Desecration of a Hanuman idol in Barbil area of Odisha's Keonjhar district triggered stiff…

1 hour ago

This website uses cookies.