The Cuttack district administration on Tuesday barred people from observing ‘Boita Bandan Utsav’ at public places (water bodies) in the district on Kartik Purnima this year.
The State government has directed that “Congregation at river ghats / near other water bodies to take bath and sail miniature boats on the occasion of Kartik Purnima on November 19, 2021 shall remain prohibited throughout the district of Cuttack."
Speaking to reporters, Cuttack DCP, Prateek Singh said, “As per a fresh SRC guideline, we have put restriction on mass bathing and Boita Bandana at public places, mainly at river ghats in Cuttack. The Police will make sure that the rule is followed.”
It is worth mentioning here that the Cuttack District Administration for the second time in as many years announced not to organise the historic maritime festival, Bali Yatra this year too. The event was also prohibitted in 2020 owing to the pandemic situation across the State.
Earlier this month, the government had imposed restrictions on Chhath Puja celebrations and mass bathing at river banks on due to the pandemic situation. People were advised to avoid mass gatherings and rather perform Puja in houses in adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocols, such as physical distancing, mask-wearing, and hand washing.