A high profile inspection team reviewed the work done by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) at the various Chhath ghats across the State capital on Thursday. The team comprising of State Urban Development Minister CP Singh, Mayor Asha Lakra, Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargiya, BJP District President Manoj Mishra, Municipal Commissioner Manoj Kumar and Additional Municipal Commissioner Girja Shankar Prasad visited water bodies across the City on Thursday.
Covering about six water bodies, the inspection started with the Hataniya Talab and went on to Karamtoli Talab, Jail Talab, Line Tank Talab, Bada Talab and Madhukam Talab.
“This is a very important festival for states like Jharkhand and Bihar. It is celebrated with a lot of fervor by the people here. Because of the idol immersion after Kali Puja a few water bodies are yet to be cleaned which will be duly completed. Directions have been given to complete all the work latest by November 1 morning. There is a Chota Talab near Bada Talab for which beautification work was done recently. It will also be open to Chhath devotees this year,” said Singh. Singh further mentioned that though the RMC is working round the clock to clean the City for Chhath Puja, the residents also need to corporate and not litter or throw the garbage just randomly and assist the authorities in maintaining hygiene and creating awareness.
As the residents of Ranchi are preparing for the four- day long Chhath festival, the authorities too are working on their toes ensuring foolproof arrangements for the annual sun festival focusing mainly on cleanliness and barricading danger zones. As per the officials, there is a little work still left at Bada Talab because of the common water hyacinth which keeps growing. “Efforts are being made to remove as much of hyacinth as possible. Changing rooms, especially for women are also being made at each ghat. In a bid to create environmental awareness and shun the use of plastic, for the first time cloth bags will also be distributed among all the worshippers at all the Chhath ghats across Ranchi,” said Vijaywargiya. Modular toilets will also be installed by the civic body at places which witness huge footfall like Chadri Talab, Bada Talab and Madhukam Talab. The designated supervisors at each ghat have been instructed to sprinkle bleaching powder around all water bodies, use barricades to mark danger zones with a red ribbon and clean staircases. “For first time Municipal Corporation has made arrangements at more water bodies where Chhath Puja was not conducted earlier. These include recently renovated Karamtoli Talab and a Chota Talab in Hindpiri area.
The streets are being cleared and deadline for this had been set till November 1 morning. In Ranchi there are about 42 Chhath ghats under civic body where cleaning is being carried on,” added Deputy Mayor.