Muzaffarpur: The district administration has decided to set up three watchtowers along the Budhi Gandak to get a clear view and ensure foolproof arrangements for Chhath. A blanket ban has also been imposed on the use of crackers along the riverside.

District magistrate (DM) Dharmendra Kumar, who inspected Chhath ghats along the Budhi Gandak and other places in the town areas on Tuesday, asked the municipal corporation to clean up ghats on a war footing.

The DM said restrictions will be imposed on boats ferrying people in a day or two. "A 3-km stretch on the banks of the Budhi Gandak in Akhara Ghat, Shamshan Ghat and Balu Ghat is dangerous. There is no sign of river water receding in the next couple of days," added the DM.

The municipal corporation has already banned people from crowding at Sidhi Ghat in Sikandarpur since the Budhi Gandak is still in spate.