No vendors on footpath during Bali Yatra, Cuttack admin puts ban

Cuttack Collector clamped restrictions on vending on the roadsides/footpaths during this year’s Bali Yatra festival in the city, a notification issued in this regard mentioned.

According to official sources, make-shift shop owners will not be allowed to carry out their business activities on the streets with a view to prevent traffic congestion and facilitate easy movement of commuters. This decision was taken as a large number of people are expected to throng the city to witness the festival.

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Accordingly, restrictions will be in force on the footpaths from Ring Road in Jobra up to Chahata and Upper & Lower Bali Yatra grounds including its nearby areas. The restriction was imposed under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which will be in force from today till November 24.

“An enforcement team will remain present at the specified locations and execution of the prevention order will be monitored by a Sub-Collector,” Cuttack Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde said while briefing mediapersons.

Notably, the preventive measure was taken acting on an order of the Orissa High Court. 

Necessary arrangements have also been made for the vendors at the Lower Bali Yatra ground so that their livelihoods will not be affected. A patch of land measuring 20,000 square feet has been identified for the purpose. If required, the shop owners will be allowed to carry out business activities by paying a nominal user fee as will be decided by the district administration.