14 November,2011 06:54 AM IST | | MiD DAY Correspondent
First five days reserved for business visitors; will conclude on November 27
It is that time of the year again when shopping enthusiasts, gadget freaks and travel buffs throng Pragati Maidan for the annual India International Trade Fair (IITF). The theme of the fair, beginning today, is 'Indian handicrafts-The magic of the gifted hands'.u00a0u00a0
The more, the merrier: Over 1 lakh people per day are expected to
visit the trade fair. File pic
The first five days of the fair would be reserved for business and trade visitors, whereas it will be thrown open for general public from November 19 to 27.
Tickets will be available at all Metro stations and the entry will be allowed between 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. Senior citizens and physically-challenged will be given a free entry into the fair. While West Bengal and Jharkhand are the "partner states" this year, Bihar and Orissa have been branded as "focus states". Surprisingly, unlike the last year, there is no international partner this year.
Elaborate security arrangements, including close-circuit television cameras, have been made.u00a0 X-ray baggage scanners will also be available at all entry points.
Also, traffic restrictions would come into force around Pragati Maidan, the venue of the fair to be inaugurated by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. According to the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), over 6,000 exhibitors from India and countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, and China will showcase their products. Besides low-cost building technologies and electricals, bakery, jute, khadi, coir, leather and glass products will be displayed in the Ministry of MSME pavilion.
