New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) The government has planned over 1,400 ghats across the city for Chhath Puja, CCTV surveillance at major sites, fire tenders near crowded ghats and arrangements for women’s changing rooms, toilets, lighting and cleanliness, officials said on Tuesday.
The Chhath celebrations will run from November 13 to 16, with Delhi observing a public holiday on November 16.
Other arrangements include covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats, welcome gates and LED screens at major model ghats. Officials have been directed to ensure proper crowd management and emergency response, according to a statement.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a meeting and directed basic preparations at the ghats to be completed by November 6, with all major arrangements in place at least two days before the festival. The remaining work, including filling the ghats with water, installing tents and final cleaning, will be completed subsequently.
The Delhi government will also explore inviting foreign ambassadors and high commissioners to the celebrations in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The chief minister said Sur Ghat or another suitable venue may be considered for the event.
Officials expect to develop more than 1,400 ghats this year, up from 1,326 last year. The arrangements also include adequate toilets and changing rooms for women, sufficient dustbins and round-the-clock sanitation during the expected rush on November 15 and 16, it stated.
Roads leading to the ghats will be repaired, cleared of debris and potholes and kept dust-free through regular water sprinkling. Officials have been directed to ensure proper lighting along the routes, and the traffic police will coordinate with organisers on parking, diversions, and road closures.
The statement said fire tenders will be stationed near large, crowded ghats, while the Delhi Police, district administration, and other agencies will coordinate security and emergency response. LED screens at model ghats will display Chhath-related content and information about the Delhi government welfare schemes.
Arrangements will also be made at railway stations and interstate bus terminals to manage the festive rush, particularly among passengers travelling to Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Officials will coordinate with the Ministry of Railways, while Civil Defence personnel may be deployed wherever required, it read.
Gupta issued these directions during a review meeting with officials from various departments, district administrations and agencies. She directed them to personally inspect the ghats and ensure devotees have a clean, safe, and convenient environment for worship.
Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, Chhath Puja committee representatives, MLAs Abhay Verma, Chandan Kumar Chaudhary and Sandeep Sehawat, and officials from the Revenue Department, Delhi Police, Traffic Police, Delhi Jal Board, municipal bodies, Public Works Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Delhi Fire Service attended the meeting. PTI SHB ASD
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