Dikhyaa Mohanty 
One of the biggest yearly trade shows and cultural celebrations in Odisha, the ancient Bali Yatra in Cuttack, will take place this year from November 5 to November 12, 2025. Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired a high-level preparation meeting on Saturday at Lok Seva Bhawan, where he reviewed current arrangements. Given the enormous number of people anticipated at the fair, the Development Commissioner emphasized that visitor convenience and safety must continue to be the top priority. This year, an estimated 70 lakh people are anticipated to attend, with around 7–8 lakh people anticipated each evening.
To ensure smooth crowd management, the Commissioner advised increasing entry and exit routes, installing glow signboards, and setting up a digital signage system. She also directed officials to develop a mobile app for visitors to access information on facilities and emergency assistance, alongside an integrated control room involving police and disaster management agencies.
Senior officials from a number of departments attended the evaluation, including CMC Commissioner and CDA Vice-Chairperson Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, and Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde. A specialized Bali Yatra website with pertinent information is already operational, the Collector said.
Special attractions this year include a mechanized boat display on the Mahanadi riverbank, reviving the maritime heritage of ancient Kalinga. For this, three temporary jetties will be constructed, along with beautification of the Silver City Boat Club. Around 1,670 stalls will be allotted to local entrepreneurs and business organizations, while 500 stalls under ORMAS will host the national-level Pallishree Mela. Last year, business worth ₹200 crore was recorded at the fair, including ₹50 crore through ORMAS alone, and officials expect higher figures this year.
International troupes, Bollywood, and Ollywood will all perform at Bali Yatra’s cultural section. Eighty cultural entities have applied to take part thus far. The Cuttack-in-Cuttack Pavilion’s “Odia Asmita, Ama Bhasa Ama Sahitya” event will showcase Odia literature and culture.
Plans are also in place for fire safety, NDRF and ODRAF deployment, parking, power supply, temporary bio-toilets, traffic control, free CRUT shuttle services from Trishulia to Jobra, and lodging amenities. Subcommittees are doing frequent evaluations to make sure the fair runs well. The wider development of Cuttack’s Mahanadi River Front, which is anticipated to enhance Bali Yatra’s appeal, was also covered during the discussion.
