Historic Bali Yatra Concludes in Cuttack with Record-Breaking Footfall and Business

The iconic Bali Yatra of Cuttack, a grand celebration of Odisha’s ancient maritime and trading legacy, has officially come to an end. The nine-day festival witnessed an impressive business turnover of over ₹400 crore, according to Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde.

This year’s Bali Yatra attracted more than 60 lakh visitors, with record crowds on weekends and the final day. Notably, nearly 15 lakh people gathered on the last evening to attend Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal’s live concert, creating one of the largest audiences ever seen at the event.

Record Business at National Pallishree Mela

The National Pallishree Mela, an integral part of Bali Yatra, achieved unprecedented commercial success this year.

• By the eighth day, sales had already crossed ₹47.68 crore.

• Business on the final day added another ₹10 crore, surpassing all previous years.

In comparison:

• 2023 recorded sales of ₹34.68 crore

• 2024 saw ₹43 crore
  This year broke all earlier records, the Collector confirmed.

Reduced Area, Massive Turnout

Unlike previous editions, Bali Yatra was not held on the Upper Ground (Upara Padia) this year.
The entire festival was organized on more than 60 acres of Lower Ground (Tala Padia).

Despite this, traffic issues and overcrowding were widely reported. While the opening day saw moderate footfall, attendance surged from Day 2 onward, averaging 6 lakh visitors daily. Crowds were doubled on weekends, and Sunday witnessed an extraordinary rush of over 15 lakh people.

Barricade Chaos on Final Day

Shreya Ghoshal’s musical night drew a massive crowd, leading to intense congestion. Barricades installed for VIP and VVIP movement caused thousands of people to gather in narrow spaces, resulting in dangerous bottlenecks.

• Around five people were reportedly injured in the crowd pressure.

• Police had to use mild force at certain points to control the situation.

• In two locations, barricades were broken by the public.

• Several people were evacuated to hospitals via ambulances.

Many visitors complained that they were unable to see the show due to crowd mismanagement. However, district officials denied any major incident and maintained that the situation was brought under control promptly.

Administration Promises Improved Management

Police Commissioner stated that the crowd was exceptionally high, which caused minor inconveniences. He added that police responded swiftly to avoid escalation.

District Collector Shinde noted that such minor incidents are common in large fairs, but assured that efforts will be made to further streamline Bali Yatra in the future.

Dahibara Stall Owners Unhappy with Location Shift

For the first time, all Dahibara vendors were relocated to the Lower Ground. Many vendors expressed dissatisfaction, saying that the new location reduced their visibility and early business.

Vendor Hemant Sahu said:

“We have been doing business on the Upper Ground for many years. This year, being placed on the Lower Ground, many people didn’t even know about the Dahibara Haat. Initial days were slow, though business improved later — but still less than the Upper Ground.”

A Grand Festival with Lessons for the Future

Despite minor challenges, Bali Yatra 2024 concluded on a historic scale, reflecting the cultural pride of Odisha and the economic potential of one of India’s largest open-air fairs.

The administration is already looking into ways to make the next edition more organised, safer, and even more vibrant.