Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar took a ferry ride on Sunday with senior officials to make a reconnaissance of the ghats along the Ganga and to check compliance of his orders given for Chhath Puja that begins on October 24.
Boarding the ferry from Nasriganj in Danapur and travelling downstream to Kangan Ghat in Patna City, Nitish took stock of each of the 90-plus ghats that lie in between and are used by Chhath vratis (devotees).
Reeling off instructions, Nitish emphasised that the district administration and departments concerned should ensure that devotees do not face any difficulty in approaching the Ganga or performing the puja.
The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the preparations and arrangements but pointed out that LCT Ghat and Patipul Ghat needed improvement to make them fit for worshippers and visitors.
"Nitish ji pointed at the need to improve the stairs and slope at LCT Ghat. The slope was needed at Patipul Ghat as the water level in the river dipped below the level of stairs. He also asked the official to construct a good slope at small ghats, which don't have stairs or slope," a senior official said.
Water resources minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav, Patna mayor Sita Sahu, chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, director-general of police P.K. Thakur, principal home secretary Amir Subhani and several others were present with Nitish.
The chief minister also instructed the officials to ensure that temporary barricading is erected in the Ganga according to the water level for safety of devotees and their assistants who step into the water to perform Chhath rituals.
He also told the officials to ensure that traffic and movement of people to ghats remain smooth as a large number of people other than devotees also visit the banks of the Ganga.
Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi also inspected six ghats in Patna and directed the officials to make foolproof arrangements for lighting, changing rooms for women and security.
He added that 120 teams of doctors would be deployed along the Ganga ghats in Patna. Thirty-three ambulances and 211 paramedics will assist them. Over 200 boats would be used to patrol the river.
Sushil added that steps were being taken by way of strengthening the intelligence system to stop spreading of rumours during the festival.
He added that 23 big ponds in Patna, which several thousand devotees are expected to visit, have been made fit for Chhath rituals.
Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee working president Kaukab Quadri went to Digha Ghat with party supporters and cleaned the place.
