- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 21 Oct 2025 01:35 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
To ensure the safety and convenience of devotees during the Chhath Mahaparv, the district administration has decided to create temporary artificial ponds at major Ganga ghats.
Construction of these ponds has been initiated at several locations, including Bansghat. They are being built using JCBs in safe areas near ghats where the Ganga's water level is high, the current is strong, or erosion is ongoing.
On Sunday, District Magistrate Dr Thyagarajan SM and the Municipal Commissioner held a joint review meeting with concerned officials. They instructed officials to promptly construct these temporary ponds at ghats identified as dangerous or high-risk, providing an alternative arrangement for ChhathVratis (devotees).
These ponds are to be equipped with excellent arrangements for devotees to offer Arghya (offerings) to the sun. All basic facilities will be available, including:
- Clean drinking water
- Separate changing rooms for men and women
- Adequate lighting
- Toilets and urinals
- Watch towers and CCTV cameras for security
This measure is being taken because the crowds at the Ganga ghats become extremely large, and incidents of drowning have previously been reported at several ghats due to deep water, strong currents, and erosion.
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Dr Thyagarajan SM stated that excellent crowd management, robust security, and smooth traffic management are the administration's highest priorities for the Chhath Mahaparv. He has asked all sector officers to remain alert, active, and ready.
During an agenda-wise review of the preparations, the District Magistrate issued specific directives:
The executive engineers of the Building Construction Department were instructed to swiftly ensure proper arrangements for control rooms, watch towers, changing rooms and passenger sheds at the ghats.
The executive engineer of the PHED (Public Health Engineering Department) was tasked with arranging toilets, handpumps and urinals.
All sector officers and sector police officers must inspect their respective ghats and approach roads on foot to ensure all arrangements are in place.
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Furthermore, the District Magistrate has constituted a three-member Chhath festival cell under the chairmanship of the Deputy Development Commissioner. This cell will coordinate with the relevant departments to ensure all necessary preparations at the ghats and approach paths are completed on time for the convenience of the Chhath Vratis. Signage will also be installed at various locations for devotees.