Bhubaneswar's much-anticipated annual open-air fair, a major cultural highlight for the city, officially kicked off on Sunday with an unprecedented focus on hygiene and public safety. The sprawling venue is set to host thousands of visitors over the next 12 days, prompting civic authorities to implement robust measures to maintain cleanliness and ensure a safe experience for all attendees.
Comprehensive Sanitation and Monitoring Efforts
To tackle the challenge of keeping the vast fairgrounds clean, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed a team of 120 sanitation workers. These personnel will operate in three shifts daily throughout the duration of the mela, ensuring continuous cleaning operations across the venue. This initiative underscores the civic body's commitment to preventing litter accumulation and maintaining a neat environment.
Multi-Agency Inspections and Enforcement
In a coordinated effort to uphold hygiene standards, multiple inspection teams are conducting joint operations on the fairground. The mobile food safety laboratory team, the sanitation and hygiene inspection for neat environment (SHINE) team, and the food enforcement squad are working together to monitor compliance with sanitation norms. The SHINE team, established in August 2023, plays a crucial role in ensuring that vendors adhere to proper waste disposal practices and maintain cleanliness at their stalls.
Food safety officials have already begun inspecting stalls selling popular items such as sweets, chaat, dahibara, and ghuguni. Raids will continue throughout the mela to prevent the sale of stale or unhygienic food items. BMC deputy commissioner Rakesh Patra emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "The aim is to ensure that visitors don't consume poor quality food and suffer. We found several kiosks storing food without refrigeration for days, which is unacceptable."
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
Vendors who fail to comply with hygiene regulations will face strict penalties. The SHINE team has been instructed to patrol eateries during peak evening hours, and vendors found littering the surroundings with disposable plates and leftovers or not using twin dustbins for dry and wet waste will be fined. Civic officials stress that such enforcement is necessary to preserve the mela's reputation as a safe and enjoyable cultural gathering.
Elaborate Arrangements and Cultural Significance
The mela, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, has made elaborate arrangements to accommodate 500 sadhus, seven 'jatra' (theatre) troupes, and over 600 stalls offering food, crafts, and entertainment. This year, the event will also honour 144 saints and distinguished personalities, featuring five mahayajnas aligned with Magha Purnima and Ravi-Pushya Yoga. Stalls for traders and temporary cottages for visiting saints have been set up to enhance the spiritual and cultural experience.
Enhanced Safety and Security Measures
To ensure the safety and security of all participants, the BMC will install 100 CCTV cameras at the venue. A dedicated 24-hour control room, staffed with representatives from all relevant departments, will operate to handle emergencies and coordinate responses. The mayor highlighted additional facilities, saying, "We will ensure proper facilities for Naga saints and pilgrims, including toilets, drinking water supply, adequate lighting, and enhanced security. Health camps and mobile toilet units will also be there for the participants."
With thousands expected to throng the venue daily, the combined efforts of sanitation staff and food safety squads aim to keep the fairground clean and ensure visitors enjoy the festivities without health risks. The mela, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and spiritual significance, is poised to remain a major attraction until its conclusion next week, setting a benchmark for future events in terms of hygiene and public safety.
