Cuttack: The Orissa High Court Thursday allowed the Cuttack district administration to hold the upcoming Baliyatra, the maritime festival of Odisha, on both upper and lower grounds of Mahanadi river bank near Gadagadia ghat here. The week-long mega festival is scheduled to begin on the day of Kartik purnima November 15.
Since several civic issues were required to be taken care of by the organising agencies, the Orissa High Court had earlier suggested the authorities to limit the festival only to the sprawling lower ground and utilise the upper ground for parking of essential vehicles to ease the traffic on the two connecting roads of both the grounds. The court had last week also asked the authorities to submit affidavits assuring that the civic issues are taken care of properly. Upon assurances through affi davits and ensuring personal appearances of the District Collector and city Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the court, a division bench comprising Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh Thursday allowed the authorities to hold the festival on both the grounds with a direction that from next year, the upper ground will be kept reserved for parking only.
The HC has also issued multiple directions to the police authorities to take necessary steps to avoid traffic congestion in the locality. The Collector has also assured the court that temporary shops will not be allowed to come up on the nearby roads leading to the festival grounds. The Collector’s affidavit also mentions having a green corridor in both the grounds for the movement of ambulances and fire brigade and police vehicles. Two new temporary roads will come up to connect both the grounds and it has also been assured that adequate steps will be taken to minimise noise and air pollution in the locality.
The Baliyatra festival, which is considered as one biggest open-air trade fair in Asia is testament to the ancient maritime trade glory of Kalinga (the ancient name of the state) establishing political, social and economic relationships with South-East Asia. It is observed to mark the return of the ancient voyage of Odia maritime traders from Bali, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Sri Lanka with goods from those places to be sold here.