Cuttack, Oct. 15: A network of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) would ensure foolproof security to people during the weeklong Balijatra here starting on Kartik Purnima. The entire fair ground would also be insured keeping natural calamities in view.

With 2-4 lakh people thronging every day for a week, the Balijatra has the single largest gathering in Orissa next to the Rathyatra. The fair on the banks of the Mahanadi river near Barabati fort would start November 13 and continue till November 20, making it an eight-day event this year.

Taking note of the demographic explosion, the Balijatra Maidan would be divided into different zones — each zone demarcated into sectors and CCTV cameras installed all around to monitor the activities of visitors both inside and outside the fair, traffic congestion and other possible outbreaks or disturbances.

This was decided at a preparatory meeting yesterday chaired by collector K.K. Mohanty and attended by senior district administration officials, including Cuttack Municipal Corporation commissioner Rabindranath Kar.

Sources said about 900 kiosks would be put up for the Balijatra. This apart, handicraft products of village artisans, silk, khadi products from across the state would be the main attraction.

The Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society — for its Pallishree mela — is already in line for booking its pavilion. So are self-help groups and village artisans from different districts. Cultural programmes would be organised on all evenings at the Ganakabi Baisnava Pani Mancha at the fair ground.

Mohanty said that the entire Balijatra Maidan would be insured keeping in view disaster and natural calamity. All the kiosks would have fire safety measures according to norms, he added.

The organisers — Cuttack District Cultural Board and Cuttack Municipal Corporation — also decided to earmark six temporary parking areas on all sides of the maidan.

A monitoring committee would look after the leasing out of the parking areas and fees for the merry-go-round and giant wheels on the fringes of the Balijatra Maidan.