Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the historic maritime fair, Bali Jatra, on November 24 on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Kataka, the district administration said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Governor Braj Mohan Ram are also scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony. A special security and traffic management plan has been chalked out for the President’s visit.
The eight-day maritime festival, which will continue till December 1, will be organised across both the upper and lower Bali Jatra grounds this year. The administration has already completed land allocation for over 500 plots, while other formalities are underway.
According to the district administration, President Murmu has graciously consented to inaugurate the historic Bali Jatra. The administration has started making elaborate arrangements for her visit, including special security and traffic management measures. A city-wide beautification drive will also be undertaken ahead of the event, with all departments working in coordination to ensure a smooth and memorable inauguration.
Meanwhile, the theme for this year’s ‘Cuttack in Cuttack’ initiative will be finalised based on suggestions received from the public, the administration informed.
It is learnt that the district administration had formally invited President Murmu and the President’s Office has conveyed its consent.
Notably, Cuttack Bali Jatra, one of the largest trade and cultural fairs in the country, attracts lakhs of visitors from Odisha and beyond every year with its traditional handicrafts, cultural programmes, food stalls and exhibitions. The President’s participation is expected to add a historic milestone to the legacy of the iconic festival.
