Bhubaneswar: A high-level preparatory meeting for the historic Cuttack Bali Yatra 2025 was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lok Seva Bhawan. The review focused on ensuring safety, traffic control, fire prevention, and overall management for the smooth conduct of the eight-day mega fair, scheduled to begin on November 5 (Kartik Purnima) and continue till November 12.
The Chief Secretary directed all partnering departments and organizations to make comprehensive arrangements for the fair, which attracts lakhs of visitors every year.
He stressed crowd management, parking facilities, and security measures, including setting up a police control room, emergency service camps, loudspeaker systems for announcements, and dedicated safety arrangements for women, children, and the elderly. A District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) camp will also be established near the police control room.
Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde presented an overview of ongoing preparations, including road improvement, parking facilities, power supply by TPCODL, water supply by WATCO, and sanitation and food safety measures by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
Last year, the fair witnessed business transactions worth nearly ₹200 crore, with 50 crore from ORMAS alone. Over 60 corporate organizations had participated. This year, authorities expect more than 60 lakh visitors.
Fire safety arrangements will include the deployment of adequate personnel, with NDRF and ODRAF teams stationed along the riverbank. The meeting also discussed stall allocations, cultural programs, media coordination, reception, stage management, inspection, electrification, and security.
A special pavilion titled “Odia Asmita – Ama Bhasa, Ama Sahitya” will showcase Odia culture, literature, and heritage through discussions and felicitation events. An MSME enclave will also be set up to promote local entrepreneurship. Cultural programs featuring eminent artists from Odisha, other Indian states, and abroad are planned to enrich the festival’s vibrancy.
The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, senior secretaries from various departments, Commissionerate Police officials, and CMC representatives.
The Chief Secretary urged coordinated efforts to ensure that Bali Yatra 2025 remains a safe, inclusive, and culturally rich celebration.
