An attendant collects parking fees at Khandagiri Mela in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 12: Jatra troupes camping in the foothills of Khandagiri are drawing huge crowds. Though there is no grumbling about their entertainment value, the near absence of basic amenities and safety arrangements at the site is a cause for concern.

With six jatra troupes performing everyday since February 4, more than 25,000 people come to watch the shows everyday. However, people claim that even makeshift toilets are absent in the area where more than 5,000 people turn up for a single show.

“Women are the worst sufferers. In the morning, the area stinks as people urinate in the open. The civic authorities collect taxes, but forget about these things,” said Nilu Pradhan, who came to watch a jatra show from Jagamara.

People sit close to each other as there is a lack of space. “We cannot get up and go out in the middle of a performance without inviting protests from others. Besides, I found there were no fire safety arrangements under the marquee where the shows take place. In case there is a fire mishap, more than 50 per cent people will perish as there are no exit routes,” said spectator Priyabrata Nayak.

While the fire brigade officials claimed that the organisers had taken permission from them with the assurance to install fire safety arrangements, some of the jatra organisers said they did not feel the need to take any such precautions.

But fire officer B.B. Das said the organisers had been instructed to keep fire extinguishers and water nearby. “They have also been cautioned not to keep any inflammable material inside the tents. We also keep checking these places regularly,” said Das.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has collected Rs 30,000 from each troupe for the 12 nights of jatra to be staged at these places till February 15. “We have given this amount for 12 days to the civic body. It is supposed to take care of our civic needs,” said Pravat Patra, president of Maa Shakti Sanskrutik Parishad, an organisation that is hosting one of the jatras.

To add to the woes of the viewers, the parking lot managers at the jatra site collect exorbitant fees. There are six parking lots auctioned for Rs 64,000 by the civic body at the site. While the corporation has fixed Rs 2 for two-wheelers and Rs 10 for four-wheelers, the parking lot managers collect Rs 10 to Rs 20 for motorcycles and up to Rs 50 for four-wheelers.

“I was stunned when the man at the parking lot demanded Rs 20 to park my motorcycle. As I had come to watch the jatra, I did not argue with him and paid,” said Subash Dash, a resident of Baramunda.

However, mayor A. N. Jena said the civic body had taken care of the sanitation problem at the jatra site. “We have arranged for makeshift toilets. We will also look into the parking problems. We appeal to people to bring any problems to our notice,” he said.

The jatra at Khandagiri will continue till February 15. Organisers claim that the people from as far as Nayagarh, Khurda and Berhampur come to watch the shows.