Cuttack: The Mahanadi river banks in Odisha’s Cuttack city are all decked up for inauguration of the famous Bali Jatra on Friday.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday on the inaugural function, Cuttack district collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi would inaugurate the Bali Jatra at 5.30 pm on Friday. The mega trade fair would continue for 8 days till November 22.
“More than 2,500 stalls, small and big, will open to sell different products on both lower and upper grounds on the river banks. ORMAS, which has been permitted to open 500 stalls, has given priority to women entrepreneurs who will showcase their handloom and pottery products besides food items including varieties of cakes,” he said.
Stating that seven international stalls would be opened for the first time this year, the collector said ambassadors and high commissioners of 12 countries are scheduled to attend the Bali Jatra. Those countries include Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Bhutan, Singapore, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nauru, Soloman Island, New Zealand, Brunei.
The event will also see participation of cultural troupes from six countries like Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Indonesia and Bhutan. All these are being done to promote the annual maritime festival globally, he added.
For the entertainment of the visitors to Bali Jatra, several programmes including Bollywood Nite, laser show, drone show and kite festival have been arranged.
The collector said in order to ensure security of the visitors, Odraf and Fire Brigade personnel would be deployed at the fair ground.
The Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has imposed restrictions on movement of vehicles during the mega event, he added.
Also Read: Traffic Curbs Imposed For Cuttack Bali Jatra; Check Vehicle Parking Sites