Chhath preperations: 1,400 ghats, CCTV at major sites

For the families who stand in cold water at dawn and dusk to offer prayers, the ghat is only as good as its lights, its tents and its clean steps. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told officials that none of these can fall short this Chhath. She announced a public holiday on Monday, November 16, and said more ghats will be developed this year than last year.

The Chief Minister held a detailed review with department officials, the district administration, and various agencies. She said there must be no shortcomings in devotees’ convenience, safety, cleanliness or the smooth conduct of the puja. Officials must inspect each ghat in person instead of relying only on progress reports, she said. All major arrangements must be done at least two days before the festival.

Officials said Chhath Puja will begin on November 13 and continue until November 16 this year. Delhi is expected to set up more than 1,400 ghats, up from 1,326 last year. The Chief Minister directed that basic preparations at the ghats be completed by November 6. Only filling the ghats with water, installing tents and final cleaning should be left for the later days.

Keeping in mind possible cold weather in November, she asked for special arrangements. She said conditions were different from last year. Install adequate covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats where needed. Tents must also be provided behind the stage, at the main worship area, and at other necessary places. Arrange extra tents at major model ghats.

The Chief Minister asked for adequate toilets and changing rooms for women. She said the festival is associated with purity, so these facilities need special attention. Cleaning must be done before the evening arghya, after the evening prayers at night, and right after the morning Usha Arghya. With large crowds expected on November 15 and 16, sanitation workers and extra teams must work around the clock. Enough large dustbins should be placed, and waste must be removed continuously.

Inspect the roads leading to the ghats. The Chief Minister said they must be free of potholes, loose stones, debris, and other obstructions. Water sprinkling should be regular to control dust. Use all available sprinklers and machinery fully, and do not keep them on standby. Remove old stones and debris from central medians and repair sites. No road should be left in darkness, and no dark spots should remain.

On safety, she directed that CCTV surveillance be ensured at all major and crowded ghats. The Delhi Police, district administration and other agencies must work together. Fire tenders must be stationed near large and crowded ghats. The Traffic Police must share advance information with local organisers on parking, diversions and road closures. She said crowd management, security, and emergency plans must be finalised in advance.

At model ghats, install welcome gates at prominent ghats, visible from the main road. Large model ghats should have LED screens showing Chhath-related content and videos on the Delhi Government’s welfare schemes.

This year, foreign ambassadors and high commissioners will be invited to the celebrations. Officials were told to coordinate with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to find a venue, possibly Sur Ghat or another well-prepared ghat.