Delhi CM announces public holiday on November 16 for Chhath; More ghats to be set up

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday reviewed preparations for Chhath Puja with officials from several departments, the district administration and other agencies. According to a press release, she called Chhath a festival rooted in the faith of millions and said those fasting, and their families, should get a clean, safe and convenient place to offer prayers.

Chhath Puja will run from November 13 to 16. Officials told the meeting that more than 1,400 ghats are expected to be set up this year, compared with 1,326 last year.

Gupta asked for basic work at the ghats to be finished by November 6, leaving only filling the ghats with water, putting up tents and final cleaning for later.

Major arrangements should be ready at least two days before the festival, she said, and officials should visit each ghat themselves instead of relying only on progress reports.

Holiday on November 16

To help devotees after the morning Usha Arghya, the Chief Minister directed that Monday, November 16, be declared a public holiday.

Since November can be cold, Gupta asked for covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats, behind the stage and at the main worship area. Extra tents should be arranged at major model ghats.

Cleanliness and facilities

She asked for enough toilets and changing rooms for women. Cleaning must be done before the evening arghya, after the night prayers and right after the morning Usha Arghya.

With heavy crowds expected on November 15 and 16, sanitation teams must work round the clock. Enough large dustbins should be placed, and waste should be cleared continuously.

Roads, lighting and security

Routes to the ghats should be free of potholes, loose stones and debris, and water should be sprinkled regularly to keep dust down. No road should be left dark. CCTV cameras should cover all major ghats, and fire tenders should be stationed near crowded ones. The Traffic Police will share parking and diversion details in advance.

Other directions

• Large model ghats will have LED screens showing Chhath content and information on Delhi government schemes.
• Foreign ambassadors and high commissioners will be invited. Officials will work with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to pick a venue, possibly Sur Ghat.
• Officials will coordinate with the Railways to manage the rush at stations for passengers heading to Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. ISBTs will have information desks and crowd management, with Civil Defence personnel where needed.

Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, Chhath Puja committee representatives, and MLAs Abhay Verma, Chandan Kumar Chaudhary and Sandeep Sehawat attended the meeting, along with officials of the Delhi Police, Traffic Police, Delhi Jal Board, civic bodies, PWD and the Fire Service.