Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6 -- Cuttack's historic Bali Yatra will be made plastic-free this year, with the decision taken to promote environmental cleanliness during the annual event. The move was approved at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Saturday, with the administration seeking cooperation from the public for its implementation.

The initiative will be carried out in coordination with all departments involved in the organisation of Bali Yatra. The Chief Secretary also advised measures to make the festival safer, better organised and more attractive, while stressing greater efforts to take Odisha's maritime trade heritage to the global stage.

The district administration and various departments have already started preparatio...