Review of Chhath arrangement: CM takes boat ride on Yamuna

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inspected Yamuna Ghats from Palla village, where the river enters Delhi, to ITO here on a boat to review arrangements for the forthcoming Chhath Puja.

She directed officials to strengthen security and ensure cleanliness, proper lighting and drinking water at the ghats during the festival.

She said this year, with the government’s efforts, Chhath will be organised in a way that is “grander, safer and more convenient than ever before”.

Gupta also assured that hundreds of ghats across Delhi are being prepared so that devotees can celebrate the festival with ease.

During the inspection, she was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra, MLA Abhay Verma, among other senior officials.

Starting from Palla, she reviewed preparations at Shyam Ghat, Geeta Colony, Sonia Vihar, Boat Club and Hathi Ghat, where women devotees welcomed her with traditional Chhath songs and rituals.

“Chhath is not just a festival, it is a symbol of women’s devotion and our respect for nature. The Delhi Government is committed to celebrating it with full dignity and grandeur,” she said.

The CM said the government would not only prepare Chhath ghats but also organise cultural programmes so that the festival could be celebrated with devotion, culture and collective enthusiasm. She said the government aims to provide every citizen with the opportunity to perform.

Taking a dig at the AAP, the CM alleged that the previous administration neither paid attention nor made any concrete efforts for the holy festival.

Minister for Water, Irrigation and Flood Control Parvesh Verma said this year, Delhi would witness a memorable and well-organised Chhath Puja. He explained that Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to the Sun God, whose core essence lies in physical and environmental purity.

Therefore, efforts were being made to ensure that every devotee could participate in this festival with devotion and dignity, while keeping the Yamuna free from pollution, Singh said.