CUTTACK: Hit with an unprecedented inflow of visitors to the Balijatra this year resulting in traffic congestions, the district administration is all set to make drastic changes in its event map from next year. With focus on creating more facilities for smooth parking of vehicles and flow of traffic on the approach roads to the fair, the administration has started planning on creation of more number of parking lots at both ends of the venue. It has zeroed in on sites at Munda Sahi towards Mata Math on one end and at the Biju Patnaik Chhak playground and Gorakabar on the other. This year’s five parking lots in the vicinity of the fair have proved inadequate. “We have noticed a substantial increase in number of four-wheelers this year, which has led to eating up of space. As a result vehicles were parked on the Ring Road causing traffic jams,” said Sub-Collector JP Das. He added that the administration will set up new parking lots exclusively for four-wheelers beyond the fair ground limits next year in consultation with the Commissionerate Police. The administration is also mulling on integrating the entire fair into a single venue from next year. Plans had been chalked last year itself but the high-floods and erosion of river bed shrinking the fair area forced its shelving. “The present venue on the river bed would be expanded on both ends to create 40 acre more space and the vacated Killa Maidan grounds would be used for a parking lot. This year an additional 1.5 lakh sq ft land was created on the bed to accommodate more stalls, added Das. Taking the step further, the next year’s fair would be divided into specific zones dealing with different sections for ease and convenience of visitors. There would be different sections on handicraft, electronics, consumable and household articles, Government institutions, social welfare organisations, eateries and amusement. Site-maps with the zones indicated along with directions would be prominently displayed at the entry points.With an average of three lakh visitors a day, the fair witnessed a record turnout of over 10 lakh on Sunday. The revenue for the Government and administration is expected to cross ` 60 lakh by the end of the eight-day fair.
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