CM forms high-level committee to oversee Chhath Puja preparations

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has constituted a high-level committee to oversee preparations for Chhath Puja in the national capital. The festival will be celebrated at nearly 1,000 locations in the city this year. Art, Culture & Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee.

The panel will identify suitable venues for the festival and review arrangements related to amenities, sanitation, safety, transportation and overall convenience of devotees before submitting its report to the government.

Four MLAs - Abhay Kumar Verma (Laxmi Nagar), Chandan Kumar Chaudhary (Sangam Vihar), Sandeep Sehrawat (Matiyala) and Deepak Chaudhary (Badli) - have been included as members of the committee.

Emphasising the cultural significance of the festival, Mishra said, “Chhath Puja is not only the cultural identity of Purvanchal, but also of Delhi. It symbolises our collective faith and unity.”

He said the government aims to ensure that devotees could perform rituals in a clean, safe and well-organised environment, adding that all ghats would be equipped with improved lighting, medical facilities and proper traffic management.

Targeting previous administrations, Mishra said: “Earlier governments deliberately disregarded the faith of millions of devotees. This year, the festival will be celebrated with renewed spirit and grandeur.”

The minister said sites along the Yamuna riverbanks, Munak Canal and various artificial ponds would be used for rituals. Departments had been directed to ensure water sprinkling, safety measures and removal of water hyacinth from the Yamuna to maintain clean water for the ceremonies.

Mishra urged residents to participate in the festival with enthusiasm and maintain cleanliness and discipline, describing Chhath as an important symbol of Delhi’s cultural heritage.