Odisha Govt Announces Financial Aid For Historic Durga Puja Pandals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday announced financial aid for traditional Durga Puja pandals across the state, with categories based on their historical significance.

The Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture has written to all district collectors, directing them to prepare a detailed list of pandals within two days.

According to the notification, pandals over 100 years old will be placed in Category A, those above 75 years in Category B and those above 50 years in Category C. In districts without pandals older than 50 years, officials have been asked to submit details of the two oldest mandaps.

Meanwhile, ahead of the festival, the Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has barred the use of vehicles with unauthorised structural modifications, particularly those converted into DJ or OJ carriers. The circular has instructed regional transport officers to crack down on such alterations, which violate the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Vehicles found in violation will face penalties, cancellation of registration and fitness certificates and seizure, the STA warned.