Patna Chhath Prep: CM Samrat Choudhary Reviews Ganga Ghats, Orders Tight Security
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary reviews preparations at Patna's Ganga ghats for Chhath Mahaparv, ordering strict safety and cleanliness measures.
As Bihar gears up for the grand celebration of Chhath Mahaparv, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary took to the river on Thursday to personally oversee the preparations. In a comprehensive inspection of the Ganga ghats in Patna, the Chief Minister emphasized that the safety and convenience of the devotees must be the top priority.
A Steamer Tour of the Riverfront
To get a first-hand view of the arrangements, the Chief Minister traveled via steamer, surveying a long stretch of the riverbank. His inspection route spanned several key locations, including:
- Nasriganj Ghat
- Collectorate Ghat
- Gandhi Ghat
- Pehlwan Ghat
- Gulabi Ghat
- Chaudhary Tola Ghat
- Pathri Ghat
- Gai Ghat
- Bhadra Ghat
- Mahavir Ghat
Strict Directives for Devotee Safety
During the tour, CM Choudhary issued stern instructions to officials to ensure that Chhath vratis—the devotees observing the rigorous fast—do not encounter any hurdles while offering Arghya. Given the current water levels and the flow of the Ganga, the Chief Minister demanded foolproof security measures.
Key directives included the installation of strong barricades near the water's edge and the securing of approach roads and pathways. These measures are intended to regulate the movement of the massive crowds and prevent any accidents.
Communication and Sanitation
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of real-time communication, directing officials to use public announcement systems to keep devotees informed about the arrangements and important updates throughout the festival. Furthermore, he insisted on zero laxity regarding cleanliness and sanitation at all ghats to maintain a hygienic environment for the worshippers.
The Numbers: Patna's Massive Infrastructure Push
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the scale of the preparations. Out of the 103 total ghats along the Ganga in Patna, 91 have been declared safe, five are categorized as dangerous, and work is currently ongoing at seven others.
To support the millions of visitors, the administration is deploying a significant amount of temporary infrastructure:
- Sanitation: 552 temporary toilets and 450 temporary urinals.
- Convenience: 400 temporary changing rooms and 13 passenger sheds.
- Surveillance: 171 watchtowers for monitoring.
Administrative Mobilization
To ensure seamless management, the city has been divided into 21 sectors. Personnel from the Patna Municipal Corporation, Danapur Nagar Parishad, and various other departments have been deployed for constant supervision. In addition to the riverfront, the Patna Municipal Corporation is preparing 103 ponds—comprising 66 permanent and 37 artificial ponds—alongside 92 ghats for the 2026 festivities.
The inspection was attended by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Cooperation Minister Ram Kripal Yadav, Patna Mayor Sita Sahu, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, District Magistrate Kundan Kumar, and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K. Sharma.