Bhubaneswar: Preparations are in full swing for the Bhubaneswar Bali Jatra festival to be held from November 5 to 14 on the banks of the Kuakhai River.
A preparatory meeting for the annual event was held on Friday at the local Circuit House under the chairmanship of Additional District Magistrate Rudra Narayan Mohanty.
Highlighting the cultural significance of the festival, Mohanty said Bali Jatra a reflection of Odisha’s identity and the administration will extend full cooperation to ensure its success.
The festival, jointly organised by the Bhubaneswar Bali Jatra Festival Committee and the district administration, will feature a wide range of products from across the state, along with cultural programs showcasing Odisha’s heritage, traditions, and identity.
Officials discussed key arrangements including lighting, road repairs, parking, police deployment, drinking water and toilets, food quality checks, emergency medical services, security, and traffic management. Departments were instructed to take all necessary steps to ensure smooth operations.
Committee advisor Golak Mahapatra stressed the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the festival. The event overview was presented by committee working president Yashobant Ojha.
Sources said extensive arrangements are being made for crowd management and public safety. Designated parking zones have been finalised, and multiple watchtowers will be set up for better surveillance. More CCTV cameras will be installed to ensure 24-hour monitoring, and committee members will also be assigned security duties.
The Commissionerate Police will assist in maintaining law and order, while the traffic police will manage vehicle movement around the venue.
Fire service teams and medical units will remain on alert to handle emergencies. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will collaborate with the organisers to ensure cleanliness and sanitation at the festival venue.