The Bali yatra festival in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 10: Bali yatra got off to a colourful start with around four lakh people visiting the historic annual fair that is deeply rooted in Oriya tradition.

Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police took adequate security measures for smooth conduct of the festival. Around 42 platoons of police, 300 officers, quick-reaction team and bomb squad were deployed to deal with any security problems.

“Adequate measures have been taken towards better security and crowd management during the six-day festival. Steps have also been taken to efficiently manage traffic,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

Three watch towers have also been installed and special vigil will be kept on troublemakers and eve-teasers.

This year, Bali yatra festival is being held on more than 37 acres of land, including two grounds in front of Barabati Fort and the Mahanadi riverbed. Revenue minister Surya Narayan Patro inaugurated the Bali yatra trade fair, which will continue till November 16.

“Adequate arrangements have been made by the district administration for proper security and smooth conduct of the festival. Similarly, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has taken initiatives to maintain sanitation on the grounds during the festival,” said district collector Girish S.N.

Official sources said over 1,300 kiosks, including 350 stalls of Orissa Rural Marketing and Development Society and 150 stalls of Gandhi Shilpa Bazar, along with pavilions selling food, displaying the rich and ethnic and rural crafts from Orissa and other states have come up at the largest fairs in the state.

According to CMC officials, adequate measures have been taken to ensure this year’s Bali yatra would be eco-friendly. The use of polythene has been strictly banned.

Traders have been asked to sell items in paper bags and jute bags. Five or six stalls selling these bags have been set by the CMC.

The silver filigree pavilion could again be the crowd puller at the festival. Earlier, there was speculation as to whether the silver filigree pavilion would come up this year or not.

“Last year, we had conducted brisk business at the pavilion. We are hoping to live up to the expectations of people of the state who have always appreciated the silver filigree art,” said organising secretary Dilip Prusty.

According to Prusty, around 20 kiosks have come up at the silver filigree pavilion in which over two-dozen filigree artisans from the city are exhibiting unique pieces crafted on white metal.

“Keeping in view the success of the silver filigree pavilion last year, we were eagerly waiting for this year’s Bali yatra as we had bought a chariot which was appreciated by many friends and relatives. We were even requested by some NRI friends to buy other items from the silver pavilion at Bali yatra,” said Swayam Prakash Senapati, a visitor.