The district administration would set up two pontoon bridges — one for entry and the other for exit — at each ghat to be used by Chhath devotees.

Patna district magistrate N. Saravana Kumar made the announcement on Thursday on the sidelines of his weekly janata durbar. He said the administration decided to set up two bridges at each ghat to be used by the devotees to ensure their safety.

Bihar Rajya Pul Nirmal Nigam would erect the pontoon bridges. Last year, at least 18 people were killed in a stampede at Adalat Ghat, where one pontoon bridge was erected both for entry and exit.

“To ensure the safety of devotees at ghats, we have decided to erect two pontoon bridges at each ghat. It would minimise the chances of panic,” said Kumar.

The district administration, however, has not yet decided on the number of ghats the devotees would be allowed to use during Chhath.

Kumar said: “At present, I am not in a position to tell the number of safe ghats because of the high water level of the Ganga. The district administration will announce the number of ghats open for the devotees once the water recedes. We shall also issue a list of dangerous ghats, not fit for the festival, within 10 days.”

He said: “Bihar Rajya Pul Nirmal Nigam has been asked to erect the bridges as soon as we announce the names of the ghats fit for the Chhath devotees. The district administration will ensure a safe and peaceful Chhath this year.”

On the November 19 evening last year, at least 18 Chhath devotees were killed in a stampede near Adalat Ghat. Only one pontoon bridge was erected at Adalat Ghat last year giving passage to devotees to the Ganga, which shifted from its main course by almost a kilometre.

Taking a lesson from the last year’s tragedy, the district administration seems to be determined to make every possible arrangement for the safety of Chhath devotees this time. “This year, there would not be any bamboo bridge. There would be only pontoon bridges,” said Kumar.

The administration also pledged adequate lighting arrangements at the ghats. “Special attention would be paid towards lighting arrangements. Many private companies have shown interest in sponsoring the facilities like temporary toilets and drinking water arrangements,” he added.