Devotees from Garhwa town will have to perform Chhath rituals in unhygienic conditions on the banks of river Danro, Sarswati and its contaminated water when they offer their prayers there for Chhath Puja. The annual festival is being held on November 11to 14 this year.
Recently, City Council officials arrived at the banks of the river for an inspection. “They have shown a lax attitude towards the sentiments attached with the festival.
The river banks are filled with filth and women (who mainly perform the puja) will have to offer prayers in the waters contaminated with dumping garbage and sewage.
Officials give assurances every time, but we are still compelled to offer prayers in these filthy surroundings year after year,” said Basant Singh, who was present at the spot with the officials. After rainy season, the dirty water of the town's drain becomes the main source of the river. The banks of both the rivers are presently made dumping yard of the City Council which choked with garbage and flow of contaminated water of drains, which only left dirty smell and contaminated water with the smelly water of the tube.
Chhath is celebrated on the bank of the river Danro at Bazar Ghat. In the name of providing control of the crowd and facilitating devotees , the students club and the Friends Club have permanently built the building, in the river. City council also clean the Chhath Ghat , but the devotees have to resort to the same contaminated water for bath and Arghya.
Due to indiscriminate mining of sand at Sahijana ghat big pit appeared there. Nearly 20 feet water filled in it. Deep water deposited on the pier can be dangerous for the rituals. During the bath, they are at risk of going into deep water. There is also concern about the children.
Regarding this, former Ward Councilor and office bearer of Chhath Ghat, Jitendra Sinha told that he himself has done the assessment to go in deep water and after which he has demanded install barricading from Sadar SDO, Garhwa.
Being contacted Garhwa SDO cum Special officer City Council Pradeep Kumar said that a permanent solution is being sought to prevent the drains from going into the river. A blot will be built in the wake of the Chhath festival to prevent the drain water from reaching the river for at least ten days.