File picture of visitors at Bali yatra last year

Cuttack, Nov. 15: Police have decided to strengthen security for the week-long Bali yatra festival, which will start from Sunday.

A senior police official said that apart from crowd management, special emphasis was being laid on surveillance on the fair ground.

About 25 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will also be installed at multiple locations to put a check on mischief-makers and eve teasers in particular. The devices will record every movement on the fair ground.

Police sources said it had become necessary to strengthen security measures at the venue as around three to five lakh visitors were expected to throng the fair every day.

A record daily footfall of 12 lakh visitors was witnessed at Bali yatra last year.

“Elaborate security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the fair,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

Kumar said a quick reaction team and a special contingency team would also be deployed for swift action in case of any eventuality.

Six special watch towers will also be installed, while more than 250 officers will be deployed to maintain and law and order.

The police have also chalked out a detailed plan to regulate traffic on Ring Road and other routes leading to the fair venue.

A traffic official said plans had been made to divert all the vehicles coming from various routes to various parking lots in and around the Bali yatra ground.

Keeping in view the drowning of three schoolchildren in the Mahanadi river last month, the district administration has taken adequate steps to ensure that no visitor steps into the river. A special unit of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and two units of fire services will also be deployed on the Bali yatra ground.

More than 1,300 kiosks selling various rural and ethnic products by self-help groups and other artisans will come up at the festival.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation has decided to enforce a strict ban on the use of polythene carry bags at the fair this year.