Cuttack: Vendors will not be allowed to do business on footpaths during the upcoming Bali Jatra in Odisha’s Cuttack city. The district administration of Cuttack imposed a ban on temporary vendors on footpaths from Jobra to Chahata as per the Orissa High Court’s order in this regard.
Sources said the administration has imposed the restriction under Section 163 BNSS, banning vendors from operating on the upper and lower Ring Road from Jobra to Chahata and surrounding streets from November 8 to 24.
Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said 20,000 square feet of space has been allocated at the lower Bali Jatra ground for the small vendors to minimise the impact on them.
Vendors can carry out business at designated locations by paying the required user fee.
It may be noted that this year’s Bali Jatra festival will feature a green corridor along the Mahanadi river banks, facilitating traffic management and ambulance movement.
Notably, the High Court on Thursday issued several directives to the administration and police ay for the Bali Jatra to be held from November 15 to 22.
As per the HC, the city police will have the responsibility to take necessary steps to stop the noise pollution during the annual festival. In addition, the police have been ordered to take necessary steps to avoid traffic jam and congestion.
Effective steps will be taken to manage the crowd with the creation of special corridors. Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has informed the HC about the arrangements being made.
Two new roads will connect the upper and lower grounds during the Bali Jatra.
While festival will be organised this year on the upper ground as well as the lower ground, the High Court restricted vending on road side or footpath in Bali Jatra area.
