Bhubaneswar, Sept. 30: The Met department's prediction of rain in the coming days has put a question mark over observing Raahgiri, which is scheduled to resume after a four-month gap on Sunday. With just one day left for the event, civic officials are yet to come to a conclusion regarding its future.
After observing Raahgiri for 27 straight weeks, the city administration decided to temporarily suspend the celebrations in July following the advent of monsoon. They had decided to resume the celebrations on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
However, rain has continued to lash the capital city over the past week, leaving the authorities in a quandary over organising the event. A senior Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation official, on condition of anonymity, said it would be difficult for them to organise the event on Sunday if there was no let up in the continuous downpour.
"We are yet to take a final decision on this matter. However, there are high chances that it will not be conducted on October 2 considering the prediction of rain in the coming days," he said.
"I had read newspaper reports in July that the next Raahgiri would be held on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 . I was happy that the authorities had chosen that occasion to resume the event. I am eager to be a part of the next Raahgiri but, I am confused whether it will be held at all," said Class-VIII student Anish Rath.
When contacted, top civic body officials, including mayor Ananta Narayan Jena and municipal commissioner Krishan Kumar, said they would convene a meeting regarding the immediate future of the event.
The Telegraph had on July 13 reported about the temporary suspension of Raahgiri. However, the celebration continued on the subsequent Sunday to celebrate Rasgulla Day.
The development authority, in collaboration with the police and some government departments, has been observing Raahgiri every Sunday from December 20, 2015.
The event aimed to get across the message of the bad effects of overuse of vehicles and a stagnant lifestyle. Modelled on the term Gandhigiri, Raahgiri is observed on pre-determined stretches with people of all age groups, including the physically-challenged, playing, practising yoga and doing other activities.
