Bhubaneswar: The historic Bali Yatra in Cuttack, one of Odisha’s largest annual trade fairs and cultural festivals, will be held this year from November 5 to November 12, 2025. A high-level preparatory meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Saturday under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who reviewed ongoing arrangements.
The Development Commissioner stressed that visitor convenience and safety must remain top priorities, given the massive turnout expected at the fair. An estimated 70 lakh visitors are likely to attend this year, with nearly 7–8 lakh people expected every evening.
To ensure smooth crowd management, the Commissioner advised increasing entry and exit routes, installing glow signboards, and setting up a digital signage system. She also directed officials to develop a mobile app for visitors to access information on facilities and emergency assistance, alongside an integrated control room involving police and disaster management agencies.
Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, CMC Commissioner and CDA Vice-Chairperson Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, and senior officials from various departments attended the review. The Collector informed that a dedicated Bali Yatra website is already live with relevant details.
Special attractions this year include a mechanized boat display on the Mahanadi riverbank, reviving the maritime heritage of ancient Kalinga. For this, three temporary jetties will be constructed, along with beautification of the Silver City Boat Club. Around 1,670 stalls will be allotted to local entrepreneurs and business organizations, while 500 stalls under ORMAS will host the national-level Pallishree Mela. Last year, business worth ₹200 crore was recorded at the fair, including ₹50 crore through ORMAS alone, and officials expect higher figures this year.
The cultural segment of Bali Yatra will feature performances by Bollywood, Ollywood, and international troupes. So far, 80 cultural institutions have applied to participate. The “Odia Asmita, Ama Bhasa Ama Sahitya” program at the Cuttack-in-Cuttack Pavilion will highlight Odia heritage and literature.
Arrangements for traffic management, free CRUT shuttle services from Trishulia to Jobra, temporary bio-toilets, fire safety, NDRF and ODRAF deployment, parking, power supply, and accommodation facilities are also underway. Sub-committees are holding regular reviews to ensure the smooth conduct of the fair.
The meeting also discussed the broader development of the Mahanadi River Front in Cuttack, which is expected to complement Bali Yatra’s appeal.
