Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha inspects Gandhi Ghat on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Officials and personnel engaged in Chhath-related work would not be able to enjoy the festival with their families. Their leaves have been cancelled.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting convened by Patna divisional commissioner Narmadeshwar Lal to assess the preparations being made to maintain law and order during the festival. The commissioner arrived at the decision of cancelling leaves after discussing the issue with senior officials who took part in the meeting.

Patna inspector-general Kundan Krishnan, deputy inspector-general Upendra Kumar Sinha, district magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh, senior superintendent of police Jitendra Rana and Patna Municipal Corporation commissioner Kuldip Narayan attended the meeting.

“Chhath is the identity of Bihar. I would request all the officials to treat it as a personal festival. But instead of celebrating it with their families, I urge them to contribute actively in conducting it peacefully. So, till Chhath gets over, leaves of all the officials stand cancelled. In emergency situations, they can take leave with prior permission from the district magistrate or divisional commissioner,” Narmadeshwar said.

The commissioner’s decree would affect around 15,000 families, as roughly same number of personnel is deputed for Chhath-related preparations.

Apart from administrative, police and sanitation staff, the commissioner’s directive would also affect doctors and employees of health hubs like Patna Medical College and Hospital and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, those of Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo), water resources department, building construction department, public health and engineering department, Patna Electricity Supply Undertaking and road construction department.

The commissioner was also specific in his instructions about the points, which need to be taken care of during the festival.

“There has to be adequate arrangement of public address systems, watch towers, proper signage of risky ghats and their names should be published in advance, strategy to tackle rumour mongers, proper lighting, police force, ambulance, deputation of divers and proper barricading,” said an official, who took part in the meeting

He also stressed that special team should be deputed to keep a close eye on rowdy elements who get involved in eve-teasing. Patna zonal IG Kundan Krishnan suggested deputation of officers at the control room to handle emergency situations.

District magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh said: “One senior official of every department would be present at the district control room and proper arrangement would be made for parking as well as for better traffic. Before the deputation, all the officers would be briefed on October 25 to avoid any confusion regarding their responsibilities.”

Chhath would begin on October 27 with Nahai Khai and would conclude on October 30 with the morning arghya.