Racing against time, the district administration is sure of completing all Chhath-related tasks by November 6.

Since the Nahay Khay falls on Wednesday, the administration on Monday said all security and ritualistic arrangements would be done by the time the state slips into the festival mode.

However, the problem is there is too much to be done in very little time.

“Work is going on in full swing at all the ghats where Chhath puja rituals would be performed. Several important directions have been issued and officers have been asked to ensure frequent inspections at the ghats. The primary focus is on proper lighting arrangements and a sound crowd management. By (Monday) evening, the administration would be in a position to shortlist the risky ghats,” an officer with the district administration said.

On Monday, The Telegraph did a recce of the ghats to find out how much work remains to be finished in a matter of 48 hours.

At the Collectorate Ghat, which was once considered a “VIP riverbank” until the Ganga receded, the construction of the pontoon bridge was almost complete.

“The Ganga has drifted around 3km from the original ghat. A sturdy pontoon bridge has been constructed over the wide patch of dirty water that starts from the ghat’s steps to the sandy ground. One has to walk at least 3km to reach the Ganga now,” said a person who was at the ghat.

Contradicting the resident’s “sturdy pontoon bridge” claim, Atul Kumar, a person standing a few feet from him, said: “The pontoon bridge is a cause of worry. Though the bridge looks strong, the iron carpet laid over it has uneven gaps. Thousands of devotees would walk over it to reach the main water source carrying the essentials to perform the ritual. The gaps can suck people in and cause injury. After the pontoon bridge ends, a long walk through the sandy stretch starts. That part of the stretch is still muddy and people can easily tumble.”

On October 31, Patna commissioner ELSN Bala Prasad had issued a directive to narrow the gaps between the iron sheets, which were laid on the pontoon bridges and its railings to avoid mishaps.

The cleaning work at the Collectorate Ghat was, however, done effectively.

“The ghat clean-up work was going on according to schedule but it took a severe beating after incessant rainfall because of Cyclone Phailin. Things got delayed because the water level rose. Now, we are making a durable sandy bed to cover up the mud and the dirt. Bamboo sticks are being fixed in the river, beyond which, devotees will not be able to go. Though a lot of work is still left to be done, we are sure of finishing it on time,” the officer said.

A kilometre from the Collectorate Ghat, the Mahendru Ghat, too, witnesses heavy footfall during the Sunfest.

Ramchandra Singh, the president of Navyuvak Sangh Chhath Puja Samiti, a self-help group looking after the festival preparations, said: “The approach road leading to the ghat would be illuminated so that quick measures could be taken if a mishap strikes.”

He added that the road and the ghat areas would have floodlights.

“Two pontoon bridges have been constructed — one through which people will approach the river at a distance of around 3km and the other through which people will come back. There could be lights on the sandy stretch as well. As of now, the administration has not asked us to install lights at the stretch. If they want, we can do the job. Our volunteers will be present everywhere to ensure there is no commotion of any kind,” Singh said.

At the Krishna and the Gandhi ghats, workers were seen placing bamboo barriers for effective crowd management and also to put lights on them.

“The Lakshmi and Kali idols were immersed on Monday. From Tuesday morning, the ghats will be cleaned up again. The tidying up would take a day. At the Collectorate and the Mahendru ghats, people were not allowed to carry flowers or puja materials other than idols to the main water source. Additional force would be deployed during the festival but the number would be finalised in a day or two. Parking arrangements have been done and those walking would not be disturbed. We are having marathon meetings so that we can ensure a safe Chhath,” another district administration officer said.