Cuttack, Oct. 20: The Cuttack district administration has decided not to cancel the annual Bali yatra fair and to hold it despite the cyclone and subsequent floods in the state.

“Keeping in view the rich tradition of Bali yatra and the scope it provides to thousands of traders and other people, we have decided to organise the fair in a simple way this year,” said collector Girish SN.

Girish said that there had been discussions on whether Bali yatra should be held this year. However, at a meeting held yesterday evening, it was unanimously decided to go ahead with the fair because it would provide livelihood opportunities to many.

“We have also decided to minimise expenses, so that some money is saved, which can later be donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” Girish added.

District administration officials said adequate steps would be taken to promote various self-help groups and special focus would be given on the products made by physically challenged people during Bali yatra starting from November 17.

A special pavilion of kiosks selling products made by physically challenged people had received much appreciation last year.

Besides, the district administration has also decided to ban the use of polythene with assistance from the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, he said.

Official sources said that more than 1,500 kiosks would come up at Bali yatra ground while the national-level Pallishree mela hosted by state panchayati raj department’s Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) is likely to be a crowd-puller.

“For the first time, we have decided to set up an ATM counter on the Bali yatra ground,” said ORMAS zonal-in-charge Bipin Rout.

Rout said besides the ATM counter, there would be a coin centre to provide traders and visitors with change.

ORMAS had done business worth Rs 8 crore last year and it is expected that the total business volume will cross Rs 9 crore this year.

“We had set up nearly 1,302 kiosks during last year’s Bali yatra. There will be 1,310 kiosks at the fair including a special pavilion selling Odia delicacies,” Rout said.

The district administration has also asked the Cuttack Municipal Corporation to make necessary arrangements for hosting the annual fair.

The civic body will improve the necessary infrastructure including building roads, developing entry and exit routes and maintaining all-round sanitation during the weeklong festival that draws lakhs of visitors to the city.