By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: The Delhi Government has stepped up preparations for Chhath Puja across the national capital, with 1,482 ghats being developed and maintained at 996 locations to facilitate devotees expected to participate in the festival.
Delhi Cabinet Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) and Irrigation and Flood Control, Parvesh Sahib Singh, on Tuesday visited several Chhath ghats, including Hathi Ghat near ITO, to review the arrangements and assess the progress of preparations. Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) accompanied him during the inspection.
According to the government, the 1,482 designated ghats comprise 81 permanent ghats at 53 locations, 1,372 temporary ghats at 914 locations and 29 ghats at 29 locations along the Yamuna.
To ensure the timely completion of arrangements, 74 agencies have been engaged and 155 works have been awarded across Delhi. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Delhi Jal Board are spearheading the preparations.
The arrangements include cleaning of ghats, development and maintenance of basic infrastructure, improved accessibility and provision of essential facilities for devotees. Special attention is being given to locations expected to attract large gatherings.
During the visit, Singh reviewed the facilities being put in place and directed the concerned teams to complete all preparations within the stipulated timeframe. The two departments are coordinating efforts to ensure that designated ghats are clean, accessible and adequately equipped before the festival.
‘Every devotee should celebrate Chhath with dignity and devotion’
Emphasising the cultural and religious significance of the festival, Singh said Chhath Puja holds a special place in the hearts of lakhs of families in Delhi, particularly those from the Purvanchal region.
He said the government wants devotees to celebrate the festival peacefully with their families, without having to worry about basic facilities or arrangements.
“Our effort is to ensure that people have clean ghats, proper facilities and a safe environment so that they can focus on their prayers without worrying about basic arrangements,” the minister said.
Singh added that he had instructed the departments concerned to complete the work on time and pay special attention to the requirements of devotees at every location.
He also said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government was committed to ensuring adequate facilities at permanent, temporary and Yamuna-side ghats so that families across Delhi could celebrate the festival with happiness, dignity and devotion.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Delhi Jal Board are continuing work across the capital to ensure that all designated ghats are ready ahead of Chhath Puja, providing devotees with a clean, safe and welcoming environment for the celebrations.
