Cuttack: The historic Bali Jatra began at the Gadagadia ghat on the river bank of Mahanadi in the Millennium city here on Friday afternoon.
The 10-day festival was inaugurated by the Finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera.
This year, 1300 stalls have been put up on 44 acres at the venue of which 350 stalls have been earmarked for the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). Apart from this, more than 1000 roadside vendors have put up their shops.
For smooth movement of the crowd, a number of exit and entry points have been made at the venue.
To maintain law and order during the festival, 32 platoons of police have been deployed at the venue along with plain-clothed policemen to keep a watch on any anti-social activity. Besides, CCTV cameras have been put up at several locations at the venue to monitor the movement of the crowd.
To draw more people to witness the festivity, the district administration this year has introduced free bus service from Chahata Chhak and Trishulia Chhak on the outskirts of the city.
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