Delhi government promises concrete ghats before Chhath Puja

The Delhi government has said that all Chhath ghats in the national capital will be turned into permanent structures in time for the next year’s puja. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the process of making “pucca” (concrete) ghats has already been started in light of the upcoming Chhath Puja.

The Delhi Cabinet on Saturday decided to make the irrigation and flood control department as the nodal agency for surveying the ghats and making these permanent before the next year’s puja.

Other agencies like the Public Works Department and the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd have also been directed to make elaborate arrangements for the coming Chhath Puja at around 180 ghats in Delhi.

Early this month, the district administrations and civic agencies were busy removing the remains of Durga idols that were immersed in the Yamuna River.

Last year, the National Green Tribunal had banned immersion of non-biodegradable idols using plastic, plaster of Paris, and harmful colours. But according to a recent Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) study, the idol immersion during Dussehra has plummeted the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in Yamuna to zero in the river’s journey through the national capital. A water body has to have a minimum of 4 mg/l of DO, while the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) should not exceed 3 mg/l for aquatic life to thrive, according to the DPCC.

Ahead of last year’s Chhath Puja, the AAP government had declared that the puja will be observed as a gazetted holiday. The decision was taken apparently after an unofficial representation from more than a dozen purvanchali MLAs in the Assembly.

Also, last year, as part of the government’s efforts towards cleaning the river and promoting tourism, Mr Kejriwal was the chief guest at the first-ever Yamuna Aarti.

Meanwhile, in attempt to return in power for third consecutive time before the next year civic polls, the BJP ruled civic bodies have also started making elaborate plan to woo around 40 lakh Poorvanchali voters by extending civic services for Chhath Puja. Three civic bodies have made budgetary provisions to provide proper sanitation, cleanliness and lighting at the ghats.