By Subadh Nayak
Copyright kalingatv
Cuttack: In what can be considered as a good news for the residents of Cuttack City, the Cuttack district administration has reportedly decided to hold the upcoming world-famous Bali Yatra 2025 at Upper Ground along with Lower Ground.
The Cuttack district administration had earlier decided to hold the Bali Yatra only on the Lower Ground near Gadagadia Ghat and use the Upper Ground solely for parking and had informed this to the Orissa High Court. Following this, resentment brewed among the people, especially in Cuttack City.
However, the district administration today again filed an affidavit stating that it will hold the Bali Yatra at the Upper Ground along with Lower Ground.
Informing about the development, senior Lawyer Bibhuti Bhushan Choudhary, said, “As per the tradition of Cuttack City, the Bali Yatra begins at the Upper Ground and nowhere the High Court had stated that Bali Yatra would not be held at the Upper Ground. The district administrative today filed a complaint affidavit mentioning that the affidavits it filed on 30.10.2024 and 7.11.2024 stating that the Lower Ground will be feasible for holding the Bali Yatra as huge crowd flock there every day during the Bali Yatra.”
“For a better crowd management and following the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the district administration had filed the affidavits earlier to hold the Bali Yatra only on the Lower Ground. However, it filed another affidavit at the High Court today stating that it would hold Bali Yatra at Upper Ground along with Lower Ground, which is welcome,” he added.
He further said, “The High Court has also directed the district administration to make elaborate arrangement to check noise pollution and allot free space to the hawkers to do their business and provide them free drinking water. Besides, it has asked the Cuttack DCP to ensure proper traffic management so that the roads are not blocked by any of the shops or stalls. Make green corridor for free pass of ambulances and ensure the safety, security and smooth movement of school buses.”
“Never ever the High Court denied to hold the Bali Yatra at the Upper Ground. It was the discretion of the district administration to hold the Bali Yatra in view of the feasibility,” he clarified.
Also Read: Bali Yatra Ground In Cuttack Declared As No Drone Zone From Nov 1 To 15