Cuttack: Orissa’s historic ‘Bali Yatra’ festival began at the Gadagadia ghat on the banks of River Mahanadi here Saturday evening.
Orissa Health and Law Minister Pratap Jena along with Culture Minister Ashok Panda and Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera inaugurated the annual Bali Yatra festival in the presence of Cuttack Mayor Meenakshi Behera. Over one lakh revelers are estimated to have arrived at the fair ground to witness the yatra.
The week-long fair will culminate November 10. After getting the approval from east zone bench of National Green Tribunal for the second time this year, the local administration has allowed the festival over an area of 30 acres on the river bank.
‘‘We will ensure that the festival would in no way violate the pollution norms or block the free-flow of river water,’’ said Cuttack Municipal commissioner Bikash Mohapatra. ‘‘We expect the festival would witness footfall of over three lakh visitors daily,’’ said DCP (Traffic) Srikrushna Sasmal. The twin fair grounds having over 300 makeshift stalls are showcasing ethnic household items ranging from apparels to decorative items. PNN
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