Day after conclusion of Chhath Puja, canal banks turn messy at Tara Wala Pul

A day after the conclusion of the four-day Chhath Puja, remains of offerings and articles used during the religious ceremony were still scattered around Tara Wala Pul, which falls over the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) on the outskirts of the city.

The bridge had hosted elaborate rituals and gatherings for the Puja. However, a visit to the site by The Tribune team revealed that the aftermath of the celebrations was clearly visible — the area remained unclean, with remnants of offerings littered across the venue, as no cleanup had been carried out.

What once reflected festive devotion has now turned into a scene of neglect and environmental concern, with heaps of garbage, discarded offerings, and broken clay idols strewn along the canal. Large quantities of waste, including polythene bags, food remnants, flowers, and religious materials, were found floating in the canal and scattered along its embankments. The roads leading to the ghats also presented an unhygienic sight, with litter accumulating at every corner.

Harish Shingari, a resident living opposite the site, remarked that people perform religious ceremonies with great devotion but fail to show the same enthusiasm when it comes to cleaning up afterwards. He said organisers of such events should be held accountable for post-event waste management, as they bring together large gatherings and consequently generate significant waste.

He added that organisers must arrange dustbins, awareness drives, and cleanup teams, while municipal authorities should ensure proper waste disposal, recycling, and large-scale cleaning. “Cleanliness is a joint responsibility. When organisers, authorities, and citizens work together, public spaces remain clean and respectful,” he said.

The District Forest Office is located near the site. Rajesh Kumar, District Forest Officer, said that a thorough cleaning drive was conducted before the festival began, and trolleys were arranged to lift refuse. However, after the festival concluded, no follow-up cleaning was done. He added that he would write to the Municipal Corporation requesting immediate cleaning of the area.