New Delhi, 09 November (H.S.):

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin will inaugurate an 11-kilometre-long Chhath Ghat along the Munak Canal in Delhi on Thursday, November 12. The ghat, being developed along the stretch from Outer Ring Road to Inderlok, is aimed at providing devotees with improved facilities to perform Chhath Puja.

To facilitate the movement of devotees, steps are being constructed on both sides of the canal, along with cemented pathways, ensuring convenient access to the designated worship areas.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting with representatives of Chhath Puja committees and officials from the concerned departments at Janseva Sadan on Monday. During the meeting, she directed officials to ensure that all preparations are completed well ahead of schedule, making it clear that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.

One of the major attractions for Delhi residents this year will be the 11-kilometre-long Chhath Ghat being developed along the Munak Canal. The Chief Minister said that BJP president Nitin Nabin would inaugurate the facility at a programme scheduled to be held near Singalpur village on November 12. The government is developing the ghat to enable devotees from several neighbouring Assembly constituencies to perform the rituals conveniently.

Emphasising the religious and cultural significance of the festival, Gupta said Chhath Mahaparv represents the faith, devotion and traditions of millions of people. She said the government's priority was to ensure that devotees faced no inconvenience while performing the rituals. All departments have been directed to work in close coordination and make arrangements keeping the requirements of worshippers in mind.

Representatives of various Chhath Puja committees also attended the meeting.

Delhi is preparing more than 1,400 ghats for Chhath Puja this year, compared with 1,326 ghats established last year. The Chief Minister directed officials to complete all basic infrastructure work well in advance so that only activities such as filling the ghats with water, installing tents and carrying out final cleaning remain closer to the festival.

She instructed district administrations and the concerned departments to conduct regular inspections of ghats in their respective areas and immediately address any shortcomings identified during these visits.

The Chief Minister further emphasised that all major arrangements must be completed at least two days before the commencement of the festival. Officials informed the meeting that Chhath Mahaparv would be celebrated from November 13 to 16 this year.

Taking into account the possibility of cold weather in November, Gupta directed officials to install adequately covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats wherever required to ensure the comfort of devotees.

Giving particular attention to women's convenience, she instructed officials to provide sufficient changing rooms and toilets at all major ghats. She stressed that, considering the sanctity and dignity of the festival, these facilities must be maintained in a clean and functional condition.

She also directed officials to ensure surveillance through CCTV cameras at major ghats so that devotees could perform the rituals in a safe and secure environment.

Emphasising the importance of cleanliness, Gupta called for maintaining proper sanitation across the ghats and their surrounding areas. In view of the expected increase in the number of devotees on November 15 and 16, she instructed officials to keep sanitation workers and additional cleaning teams active round the clock.

To ensure convenient access to the ghats, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to conduct special inspections of approach roads and ensure adequate lighting along all routes leading to the worship sites. She made it clear that no stretch should remain poorly lit and that there must be no dark spots on any approach road.

She also instructed officials to make model Chhath ghats visually appealing and ensure that they offer adequate facilities. Prominent entrance gates, visible from the main roads, are also to be installed at major ghats to enhance their appearance and facilitate access for devotees.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar