(Top) The proposed design of the welcome gate and (below) the arch constructed for this year’s Bali yatra in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 9: This year, too, a temporary archway is all set to greet lakhs of visitors to the Bali yatra ground as the recent flood in the river Mahanadi has played spoilsport for its construction.

“Like previous years, this year also, there will be a temporary welcome gate as work for construction of the permanent gateway has been hampered by the flood in Mahanadi,” said CMC executive engineer Ashok Parida.

Though the corporation had drawn up special plans for completion of the permanent structure before this year’s Bali yatra festival and work had been progressing on a war footing, an in spate Mahanadi affected the construction in August, allegedly resulting in the delay in its completion.

Parida said the work for erection of the base and foundation of the concrete permanent structure had already been over. For this year’s Bali yatra, a temporary archway has been constructed over the foundation. Work for the permanent structure would be completed by next year, he said. Earlier, it was the practice to install temporary archways at the entrance of the yatra ground. The corporation used to spend about Rs 2.5 lakh towards setting up a temporary archway on the occasion of the festival every year.

An official of the civic body said the permanent welcome arch would be like a “heritage structure” which would symbolise the state’s rich maritime history. The cost of constructing the new archway has been estimated at Rs 50 lakh.

“The welcome gate will be a visual treat for visitors to Bali yatra. Though it is still in construction stage, the archway is already being considered as an emblem of the Millennium City,” he said. A similar gateway has already been built for the Netaji Birthplace Museum at Dargha Bazaar.

The welcome arch at the Bali yatra ground will be a 40-feet high a colossal concrete boat. Seven sadhabas (replicas of mariners) installed on its foundation will be the centre of attraction. Concrete and fibre idols reflecting Orissa’s architecture etched on the pillars will further add up to the beauty of the welcome gateway. Huge idols of sadhabas will be installed on the boat on the top of the pillars.

The people of the Millennium City, however, will have to wait for another year to witness the architectural splendour. The seven-day-long Bali yatra, one of the biggest fairs in the state, draws a daily crowd of about 5 to 6 lakhs every year. The festival is jointly organised by the district administration, the council of culture, the municipal corporation and the Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society (Ormas).

Around 1,300 kiosks selling food, handicrafts and other products, including a special silver filigree pavilion, are the main attractions at the festival that is starting from tomorrow.