As part of increased safety measures for this year's festival, the Commissionerate Police have placed a quota on seating capacity at Khandagiri Jatra pandals, limiting the number of spectators to 1,800 every show.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) announced the decision and released comprehensive recommendations to guarantee crowd safety and emergency readiness. In order to provide easy spectator mobility and prompt access for emergency services, the directive mandates a minimum three-foot space between sitting rows as well as wider interior paths inside the pandals.
All Jatra organizing groups have been urged to strictly adhere to the rules.The organizers are worried about the decreased capacity.
The Jatra committees have expressed concern about the financial implications of the reduced seating capacity, even though they have agreed to follow the police order. Police officers and representatives from six Jatra organizing committees gathered at Khandagiri Police Station on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Citing respect for the police and local government, the organizers decided to restrict ticket sales to 1,800 seats each event after the discussion.Despite losses, ticket prices remained the same.
The organizers guaranteed that there would be no fee increases in spite of the limitations and promised that the ticket prices would stay at Rs 300 and Rs 250. They assert, however, that the seating cap will cost them around Rs 2 lakh every night.
The Indira Cultural Youth Council President, Raghunath Mohanty, declared that the organizers would abide by the order.Because only 1,800 seats have been allowed, we are losing about Rs 2 lakh. The number of seats won't be increased. The Jatra would be carried out calmly and strictly in compliance with the administration's directive, as determined in the meeting, he declared.