‘More emphasis on fire safety during Bali Yatra’

Bhubaneswar: More emphasis will be laid on fire safety during the Cuttack Baliyatra this year. A detailed discussion on ways to beef up fire safety during Bali Yatra was held under the chairmanship of Cuttack Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Mishra said there are plans to set up a special corridor for fire exit and ambulance movement. No stalls will be given approval to operate in the fair without proper fire safety equipments. Moreover, illegal electricity connection and usage of polythene will be barred during the fair, while using name plates printed in Odia language has been made mandatory.

For the first time in the history of the fair, 15 stall have been reserved for Kinnars (third gender) wherein they can sell their wares and also present cultural programs.

In order to improve visitor experience, provision has also been made to register complaints through messaging app WhatsApp, informed sources.

We held a preparatory meet in which all the concerned departments were present. This time round we are trying to bring some novelty in the look and feel of the fair. Moreover, we also discussed other issues pertaining to traffic management, safety, electricity amongst others. For ambulance and fire exit we are preparing a special corridor for which, if necessary, changes will be done to the plot layout. We will also install barricades alongside the waterline on the riverbed to prevent any mishap. We will not be using any debri or land filling on the river bed and will take steps to ensure cleanliness, said Mishra.