Bhubaneswar: The state government has drawn up a budget of around Rs 15 crore for Bali Yatra in Odisha’s Cuttack city this year.
Chief secretary SC Mohapatra discussed the budget provisions for different departments and preparation for the Bali Yatra at a review meeting with high officials in Bhubaneswar on Friday. It was decided at the meeting that the Yatra would be held from November 8 to 16.
It was also decided that there will be no restrictions on participation of people in the Bali Yatra this year. The government had prohibited the Yatra for the last two years due to COVID pandemic.
Mohapatra directed the officials to increase the number of artistes and artisans from different regions of the state participate in the Yatra this year as the footfall is expected to be more compared to previous years.
He told them to stress on parking facilities, traffic management, road communication, power supply, sanitation and law and order for convenience of visitors. He also directed to ensure adequate facilities of drinking water and bio-toilets and at the Yatra ground on the banks of river Mahanadi.
The chief secretary directed the power distribution companies to lay underground power cables for the safety of the people. The provisions of water sports and desert bike riding were also discussed at the meeting.
He directed the officials of all departments concerned to strictly follow the guidelines of National Green Tribunal (NGT) while making arrangements for the Bali Yatra. The government’s budget provisions of Rs 15.35 crore for different departments were also discussed at the meeting.
Cuttack district collector Bhabani Shankar Chaini, chairman of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) Anil Kumar Samal, commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Nikhil Pawan Kalyan and RDC (Central) Suresh Chandra Dalei participated in the discussion.
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