Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday held a detailed review meeting with officials of the concerned departments, district administration and various agencies to assess preparations for the upcoming Chhath festival.
The Chief Minister stated that there must be no shortcomings in arrangements for devotees’ convenience, safety, cleanliness or the smooth conduct of Chhath Puja . A public holiday will also be observed on the occasion.
All preparations must be completed within the stipulated time, and officials must inspect arrangements at each ghat in person rather than rely solely on progress reports, the Chief Minister said, adding that more ghats would be developed for Chhath Puja this year than in the previous year.
Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra , Chhath Puja committee representatives and MLAs Abhay Verma, Chandan Kumar Chaudhary and Sandeep Sehawat and officials from the Revenue Department, Delhi Police , Traffic Police, Delhi Jal Board , Municipal Corporation, New Delhi Municipal Council, Public Works Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Fire Service and other concerned agencies attended the meeting. The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure adequate toilets and changing rooms for women, stressing that the festival is associated with purity and that these facilities require special attention. She also instructed the concerned departments to maintain cleanliness at the ghats and throughout the surrounding areas. She added, old stones and debris lying on central road medians and at repair sites must also be removed.
The release further noted that the Chief Minister has directed that the basic preparations at the ghats be completed by November 6, leaving only tasks such as filling them with water, installing tents and carrying out final cleaning for the subsequent days and instructed the district administration and concerned departments to regularly inspect the ghats in their respective areas and address any shortcomings on the spot. The government must therefore ensure that those observing the fast and their families have a clean, safe and convenient environment for worship.
Rekha Gupta said Chhath is an important festival rooted in the faith of millions of devotees, according to a press release. She said cleaning arrangements must be in place before the evening arghya, after the evening prayers at night, and immediately after the morning Usha Arghya. Emphasising the importance of adequate lighting along routes leading to the ghats, the Chief Minister said no road should be left in darkness, and no dark spots should remain.
She directed officials to complete all major arrangements at least two days before the festival.
