With the annual Toshali Craft Mela drawing nearer, an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Parsad Padhi at the Secretariat here on Friday. Handloom and Textiles Secretary Chithra Arumugam presented the updates and outlined the subject matters for discussion. Reviewing the progress made so far, the Chief Secretary directed concerned departments to focus on traffic regulation and fire safety and safe electric wiring. The fair, which will be held from December 15 to 27, will have around 445 stalls, among which 150 stalls will be from outside Odisha. The Mela will have a food court with 30 established hoteliers and restaurants to cater various Odishi and other delicacies. Besides, cultural programmes will be hosted on every evening.
It has been decided to keep the entire fair under CCTV surveillance besides facilities like first aid, ambulance service, wheel chairs for old and differently-abled, free accommodation for artisan and weavers.
This year, the total footfall is expected to go upto 12 lakh, said Textiles Secretary Arumugam. Police Commissioner Dr RP Sharma said adequate security and traffic arrangements will be made in and around the Mela.