Bihar CM inspects Ganga Ghats, says 90 safe for Chhath

Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inspected preparations for the upcoming Chhath festival at several ghats along the Ganga in Patna on Tuesday evening, travelling by boat from Nasriganj Ghat to Gai Ghat.

He was accompanied by BJP National Secretary Nitin Nabin, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Health Ministers Nishant Kumar, Ram Kripal Yadav and Mithilesh Tiwari. 

Digha MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, other public representatives and senior officials from various government departments also joined the inspection.

Danapur Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Virupaksh Vikram Singh and Municipal Council Executive Officer-cum-Administrator Siddharth Harshvardhan were also present.

During the boat journey, the Chief Minister reviewed arrangements at various Chhath ghats, including cleanliness, security, barricading, lighting, access routes and facilities for devotees. 

He directed officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are completed on time, with particular attention to safety.

Speaking after the inspection, Choudhary said it was the second consecutive day that he had reviewed preparations for the festival. 

He said the district administration was working continuously and incorporating suggestions received from public representatives and residents.

According to the Chief Minister, 90 of the 103 ghats in Patna have been assessed as completely safe, while around 13 have been identified as hazardous.

He said the state government and district administration were making comprehensive arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees observing the Chhath rituals.

Thousands of devotees gather at the Ganga ghats in Patna during the four-day festival to offer arghya (prayers and offerings) to the setting and rising Sun. 

The large gatherings make crowd management, sanitation and safety at riverbanks key challenges for the administration.

Choudhary also invited people from other states to visit Bihar and witness the devotion, purity and traditional fervour associated with Chhath Puja.

With the festival approaching, administrative preparations have been intensified across the city. 

Officials now face the task of completing arrangements at the identified safe ghats while ensuring adequate security measures and alternative facilities for devotees at locations declared hazardous.

--IANS

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