Sambalpur: To connect people with rivers and promote awareness on their conservation, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) in association with the Water Resources Department and state Tourism Department has started Mahanadi Utsav here.
The festival, which will conclude on December 23, will see various activities and competitions spread across all days. A mass cleanliness drive was organised on Mahatma Gandhi Marg along the river on the inaugural day of the festival on Wednesday.
On December 18, a boat race will be organised on the Mahanadi, while on December 19, a plantation drive will be held, followed by a cleanliness drive of the picnic spots. Several other events have also been lined up through the duration of the fest.
SMC Enforcement Officer Subhankar Mohanty said, “The festival aims to conserve the river with the participation of the people and instill a sense of belongingness in them.”
