Preparations for Surajkund mela begin, tenders for works released

The authorities of the Haryana Tourism Department have begun preparations for the 38th edition of the Surajkund International Craft Fair scheduled to be held between February 7 and 23, 2025.

Revealing that there is a slight change in the fair duration, official sources said that the mela will be held from February 7 instead of February 3 held last year and will continue till February 23.

The authorities had changed the mela schedule duration from February 1 to February 3 in 2022, when the total duration which used to be two weeks, was revised to 17 days for the first time.

Though the duration remains unchanged, the inauguration has been pushed by four days for the upcoming edition.

Sources in the department claimed that while tenders for the work related to repairs and reconstruction of the artisan huts and the mela ground have been floated, the department would be holding a meeting with the department concerned soon to discuss the work required to be done as the number of participants, including the craftspersons and artisans, is likely to go up.

The focus is on full digitisation of services and facilities like parking would go cashless this time, said an official of Haryana Tourism. He said as many as 10 slots would be created in order to deal with the problem of parking and traffic congestion near the mela venue.

Besides the availability of online booking of tickets, the mela would add more fun and amusement activities at the venue spread over 40 acres. The department would also launch a publicity-cum-information campaign soon, it is added.

BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka) will the partner nations. The authorities are yet to finalise the name of Theme State for the upcoming event. While Gujarat had been the Theme State, Tanzania had been the partner nation in the last event, which attracted around 20 lakh visitors, it is added.

“As the number of stalls and visitors are expected to rise due to its growing popularity in the country and across the borders, the organisers will be taking all measures to enhance facilities for the visitors and participants,” said Sunil Kumar, MD, Haryana Tourism. He said a meeting would soon be held to review the progress made regarding the preparations for the mela.