Bhubaneswar: Amid representations from people’s representatives, the Cuttack administration on Monday decided to submit an affidavit, informing the Orissa High Court about holding the historic Bali Jatra at both upper ground in Killa Maidan and the lower ground on Mahanadi riverbed near Gadgadia Ghat.
This followed a meeting at the residence of Cuttack Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, which was attended by different stakeholders. “Over the next 4-5 days, we will develop a plan to ensure public safety while addressing parking and traffic concerns. We will then submit an affidavit in the HC on October 9. If the court agrees to the plan, then Bali Jatra will also be held on the upper ground,” the collector told the media.
Earlier this month, the administration had decided to move the 8-day event, beginning November 5, to the lower Bali Jatra ground, covering a sprawling 60 acres, double the area than before.
The resentment
However, the decision fuelled widespread resentment in the city with Cuttack mayor Subhash Chandra Singh and Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous, accusing the administration of “playing with the sentiments of Cuttack’s people”. While Singh slammed the Cuttack collector for the unilateral decision, Firdous emphasised that Cuttack’s unique traditions must be preserved and recommended that Bali Jatra be organised symbolically on the upper grounds with due court permission.
.Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab also opposed the decision, stating, “A people-centric administration should consider the opinions of all stakeholders before taking such decisions.”
The bone of contention
An Advocates’ Committee, constituted by the court on October 30, 2024, had suggested limiting the stalls to the lower ground with parking arrangements in the upper ground.
“….since stalls are opened in both Upper Balijatra Padia and Lower Balijatra Padia and the crowd passes from one to the other, there is heavy rush particularly on the Ring Road which falls in between resulting in accidents and possibility of stampede cannot be ruled out. Even ambulances carrying patients to SCBMCH face immense difficulties,” it had noted.
Following which, the court had sought from the state government a feasibility report on the proposal.
What happened last year…
The HC had allowed for organising the open trade fair at both its traditional locations after the Cuttack Collector submitted that locating all the stalls in lower ground was not feasible since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had limited the use of reclaimed riverbed land to 34 acres. He further noted that the upper ground plots had already been auctioned to 601 private persons since October 26.
The HC, however, had advised the administration to consider locating the entire fair on the latter next year.