Bhubaneswar: First Bhubaneswar Baliyatra during last two years, an eight-day event is all set to begin in a bigger way this year on the banks of river Kuakhai on the city outskirts from November 12.
The event, which began with only 30 stalls in 2017, will have 500 stalls this year featuring household and food items. Besides, the fair will have varieties of swings and amusement rides. So far, 250 traders have booked to put up their stalls on the riverbanks. Besides, cultural programmes showcasing Odisha’s rich maritime history will also be held on the ground every evening.
Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements are underway for the festival that will conclude on November 19. Security arrangements will be made in view of an influx of around 10,000 visitors every day. Bhubaneswar Baliyatra Committee working president Jiban Badu said, “Besides deployment of police personnel, our committee will engage 200 volunteers to control crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the festival. A total of 30 CCTV cameras will be installed at various locations to keep an eye on anti-socials. Fire officials and Red Cross members will also be pressed into service to meet any kind of emergency,”
The traders have been instructed to ensure a polythene-free environment during the extravaganza, he added.
Notably, the Baliyatra will be hosted for third time this year. In its first edition, the event was organised only for a day as the Commissionerate police had denied giving permission for longer days on various grounds.
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