The Orissa High Court has directed the Cuttack district administration to organise the annual Balijatra festival on both the Upper Padia and Lower Padia grounds beside the Mahanadi river, putting to rest the ongoing confusion over the venue.
The festival, which celebrates the voyages of ancient Odia seafarers to Southeast Asia and beyond, will be held from November 5 to 12 this year.
The state government had granted permission to host the festival on land developed under the Mahanadi Riverfront Development Project near Lower Padia. However, several stakeholders opposed this move, pointing out that Upper Padia carries deep historical significance as the original site of the festival nearly 500 years ago. They argued that shifting the event entirely to Lower Padia would mean relocating all traditional stalls and activities away from their original setting.
A division bench comprising Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh heard the matter. The Cuttack Collector, Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, sought the court’s permission to use a portion of Upper Padia in addition to the 60 acres already earmarked at Lower Padia. He assured the bench that the administration had made necessary logistical arrangements, including a dedicated green corridor for emergency vehicles and VIP convoys.
Accepting the proposal, the High Court permitted the administration to utilise both Upper and Lower Padia grounds for the festival. This decision balances the demands for preserving tradition while accommodating the festival’s modern scale.
The court emphasized that smooth movement between the two venues is essential. Quoting the affidavit filed by the Collector, the bench noted:
“The district administration shall ensure that there will be no traffic congestion and convenient movement of the visitors on the Ring Road connecting both the grounds.”
