More Chhath Ghats and Public Holiday: Delhi CM Outlines Grand Plans for Puja
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces a public holiday on Nov 16 and plans for over 1,400 Chhath ghats to ensure devotee safety and convenience.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a series of major directives to ensure the upcoming Chhath Puja Delhi preparations are seamless, safe, and inclusive. In a high-level review meeting with district administration and various agencies, the Chief Minister declared a public holiday on November 16 to mark the occasion, emphasizing the government's commitment to the millions of devotees who observe this faith-rooted festival.
Expansion of Worship Sites
In a significant boost for devotees, the number of ghats across the capital is set to increase this year. Officials informed the meeting that over 1,400 ghats are expected to be established, a notable rise from the 1,326 ghats available last year. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stressed that there should be no shortcomings in arrangements and instructed officials to personally inspect every ghat rather than relying on written progress reports.
Weather-Ready Infrastructure
Anticipating a dip in temperature during the festival, which runs from November 13 to November 16, the Chief Minister has ordered special provisions for cold weather. Key directives include:
- Installation of adequate covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats.
- Provision of tents behind stages and at main worship areas.
- Additional tenting at major model ghats to protect devotees from the chill.
Focus on Hygiene and Women's Facilities
Given the festival's association with purity, the Chief Minister placed a heavy emphasis on sanitation and gender-specific facilities. She directed the administration to ensure a sufficient number of clean toilets and changing rooms for women.
To maintain cleanliness, a rigorous schedule has been mandated. Cleaning operations must take place before the evening arghya, during the night after prayers, and immediately following the morning Usha Arghya. With massive crowds expected on November 15 and 16, sanitation teams will remain active round the clock, utilizing large dustbins and continuous waste removal systems to prevent accumulation.
Infrastructure and Road Safety
The CM also addressed the logistics of reaching the ghats, ordering that all access routes be cleared of potholes, debris, and loose stones. To combat pollution and dust, regular water sprinkling will be carried out using all available machinery, ensuring that equipment is deployed continuously rather than kept on standby.
Strict Deadlines for Officials
To avoid last-minute chaos, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has set a strict timeline for the preparations:
- November 6: All basic preparations at the ghats must be completed.
- Final Phase: The remaining days will be dedicated to filling ghats with water, installing tents, and final cleaning.
- Two Days Prior: All major arrangements must be fully operational at least 48 hours before the festival begins.
The review meeting saw the participation of Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, MLAs Abhay Verma, Chandan Kumar Chaudhary, and Sandeep Sehawat, along with representatives from the Delhi Police, Traffic Police, Delhi Jal Board, Municipal Corporation, NDMC, PWD, and the Fire Service, among other key agencies.