17 Ganga ghats in Patna not fit for Chhath: DM

PATNA: City residents may miss the famous Collectorate Ghat, Bans Ghat and LCT Ghat to celebrate Chhath as these have been put under the category of dangerous ghats by the district administration. Also, with the water level in the Ganga still high, the pressure of devotees thronging the ponds and makeshift water bodies is expected to increase this year.
Patna district magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh told TOI that out of the 105 ghats being inspected, 17 of them have been found unfit so far. Unfortunately, some of the important ghats like Collectorate Ghat, Bans Ghat, LCT Ghat, Pahalwan Ghat and Mahendru Ghat, along with Rajapur Pul Ghat, Mishri Ghat, TN Banerjee Ghat and Anta Ghat are also under the category of the unfit ghats this year.
Singh said last year, Bans ghat had one of the highest footfalls, but this year, there has been erosion of soil and four to five feet water is still there on the approach road there, making it inaccessible. Apart from Bans Ghat, a large number of devotees used to throng the LCT Ghat because of easy access to it by vehicles. People from outside Patna used to camp near Collectorate ghat and perform the rituals there.
An official of the district administration said the final list of dangerous ghats is yet to be formally announced as water is still receding in the river, leaving behind slush and mud. Also, rainfall will have an impact on the water level. For instance, at Gandhi Ghat, water level is above 48.60 metres, which is considered dangerous. As per the forecast done, it is expected to be 48.40m at 6am on Thursday, slightly less than the danger level.
Seeing the condition of the ghats and expecting the increase in the footfall at the ponds and makeshift water bodies, the civic body is readying 47 such ponds, both natural as well as artificial ones under the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said the agencies had already been handed over the ponds to make them ready for the devotees. By Diwali, the work will be completed, he said and added that sanctity of the rituals will be kept in mind and Ganga water will be added to these water bodies.