This Chhath, devotees will have 1,000 ghats to pray at

NEW DELHI: To ensure that people do not have to travel long distances to perform Chhath Puja this year, Delhi government has set up 1,000 ghats, both permanent and temporary, across the capital.

Delhi Tirth Yatra Vikas Samiti chairman Kamal Bansal said that last year the government had identified 609 locations for people to perform Chhath Puja. “This time, we have increased the number of ghats to 1,000. Devotees will not have to travel more than 1-2km this year to find a ghat to offer prayers,” he added.



Apart from the Yamuna banks, ghats have also been set up near several waterbodies. Also, ponds have been developed in parks owned by the three corporations, public works department and DDA. “The government is making all necessary arrangements, including tents, lights, and chairs where devotees can rest. The ghats along the river and waterbodies have also been cleaned,” Bansal said.

Development minister Gopal Rai on Friday inspected the Hathi Ghat near ITO to see the preparations made by the agencies concerned. He was accompanied by officials of the revenue and irrigation and flood control departments.

Rai said when Aam Aadmi Party formed the government in Delhi, there were only 60 ghats for lakhs of Poorvanchalis to offer prayers. “We have now ensured there are enough ghats for people to offer prayers. Adequate arrangements have been made to provide devotees a safe environment,” he added in a statement.

There are around 40 lakh Poorvanchali voters, natives of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who play a key role in elections in Delhi.