Mobile application Chhath Puja Patna will play a pivotal role in giving devotees vital information on ghats and facilities available there in both Hindi and English.

Through this app, devotees can get all important information about arrangements by the district administration at every ghat. “The application has navigation facility through which one can check location of ghats,” Patna district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi said. “It also has information about the nearest ATM, restaurant, pharmacy, hospital, railway station and bus stand that one can reach using the navigation. It also has a separate section where details of the zonal in-charge and ghat in-charge are provided.”

Through the app one can listen to audio messages regarding precautions to be taken at the ghats. It would also have information related to parking and distance from river bank.

Under precaution, the app says that use of boat is prohibited during Chhath, so also swimming, no crackers can be ignited at the ghats, none can cross the river barricading and order has to be maintained while returning from the ghat.

It also asks all to beware of rumours; to call the district control room (0612-2219810) for help; to take care of children and their belongings at the ghats; to not be in haste and to move slowly and be in queue; and to not touch suspicious objects and instead inform the police or control room.

Ravi said the app will be regularly upgraded. “We have already upgraded the app twice and more upgradation will be carried soon. The best part is that the app is very simple and informative. It has cellphone numbers of all important persons deputed at the ghats. The application is available on Google Play Store as Chhath Puja Patna,” Ravi said.

The app also has information about the history and importance of Chhath festival. Last year, lakhs of people downloaded the application and it turned out to be the most trusted app for Chhath. Users can even give suggestions to make the app better. The Patna DM launched the app on Tuesday.